White House adds ‘State-of-the-Art Hospital’ to Trump’s $400M ballroom to protect aging president
WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has confirmed major revisions to President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom project, revealing that the facility will now include a state-of-the-art hospital and expanded security infrastructure. The disclosure comes through a federal court filing tied to ongoing legal challenges over construction at the White House complex.
The updated plan reframes the ballroom as a secure, multi-purpose presidential facility designed not only for official events and diplomatic gatherings but also for emergency readiness and on-site medical support.
WH reveals 'State-of-the-Art Hospital’ added to ballroom plans
In a formal court filing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche outlined the scope of the project, writing, “The Project, which includes a state-of-the-art hospital and medical facilities, Top Secret military installations, bomb shelters, structures, and equipment, protective partitioning, and other features—is fully designed to protect the President.”
The medical facilities are intended to provide immediate care access within a highly secure environment for the 79-year-old president. The ballroom, initially pitched as a privately funded venue for hosting foreign leaders and major events, has since been expanded into a fortified structure amid rising security concerns and legal scrutiny.
Senate pushes funding for security upgrade
The administration is also backing a separate push in the Senate for $1 billion in federal funding aimed at strengthening presidential security infrastructure. The proposal includes upgrades such as “bulletproof glass, drone detection technologies, chemical and other threat filtration and detection systems,” along with $175 million dedicated to “improving security for Secret Service protectees.”
Officials argue the investment would reduce risk exposure during large-scale public and diplomatic events by shifting key functions into hardened, controlled environments rather than relying on external venues.
Legal battle over White House preservation lawsuit
The project remains under legal challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed suit in December after demolition of the East Wing to make space for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. A federal judge initially halted above-ground construction, though that order was later stayed by an appeals court, allowing work to continue ahead of oral arguments scheduled for June 5.
Blanche defended the administration’s position, calling the ballroom a “gift to the People of the United States” and criticizing opponents of the project.
He also referred to their arguments as influenced by “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Blanche further said the plaintiff failed to acknowledge the seriousness of recent threats, noting that the group referred to the “recent incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner” in what he described as a dismissive manner.
Trump defends timeline and construction plan
President Donald Trump has maintained that the project is on track for completion in September 2028. Responding to criticism over costs, he dismissed a reporter as a “dumb person” and said the ballroom “will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the USA.”
