Trump team to pitch White House ballroom project to oversight body led by one of his aides

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

January 8, 2026 6:32 AM EST Updated 7 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The White House will make its case on Thursday for a new $400 million ballroom before a commission that oversees federal building construction in Washington and is led by one of President Donald Trump's aides.

Trump, a Republican who had the East Wing of the White House demolished last year, has championed the 90,000-square-foot project that will replace it. The hearing, which is expected to be livestreamed, will be the first time that plans for the ballroom are presented and discussed in a public setting.

Preservationists and opponents of the plan have criticized the destruction of a part of the White House that housed the offices of the first lady and a movie theater. Trump's aides have said they did not need approval for the demolition but are seeking a green light for the new build.

A federal judge, while hearing a lawsuit alleging the project abuses presidential power, said last month he was not inclined to order the administration to immediately halt the work. In December, the White House submitted a formal application to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts for the ballroom.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-team-pitch-white-house-ballroom-project-oversight-body-led-by-one-his-2026-01-08/

[turbinetree]

1. It is not fine arts......it is a gaudy box.......just look at what he did in NY to Bonwit Teller building....JFC........

[maxsolomon]

2. They're planning to steamroll it through

The NCPC, which is chaired by Will Scharf, who serves as Trump's White House staff secretary, held the informational session about the project on Thursday.
Scharf opened the meeting by saying the public would have a chance to comment on the project at an upcoming meeting and any interrupters on Thursday would be asked to leave.

The process for approval is not expected to last long.
The CFA will hold a public informational meeting about the ballroom on January 15 and a final presentation is scheduled for February 19.
The White House will make its final submission of the ballroom plans to the NCPC by January 30 and its final presentation to that board on March 5.

Public comment will be Jan 15? Feb 19? I'm sure they're lining up sycophants now.

[forgotmylogin]

3. Would it be cheaper to just put it back sort of the way it was?

Probably not.