Trump calls new White House ballroom a gift funded without taxpayer money

Trump says the roughly $400 million ballroom rising on the former East Wing site is a private gift to the country, though Republicans have sought $1 billion in federal security funds.

First Published: September 13, 2026, 3:52 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump called the ballroom rising at the White House the greatest of its kind and a private gift to the country, built without taxpayer money. The project, estimated at roughly $400 million, replaces the demolished East Wing according to BBC Online. Trump framed the construction as a donation from himself and other backers, not a public expense. The claim renews a dispute that has followed the largest change to the White House in decades.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “The Spectacular Ballroom being built at the White House. Will be the GREATEST of its kind anywhere in the World! Also, it is a Gift to the U.S.A. from me and other American Patriots — No Taxpayer Dollars will be expended in its Construction. President DJT” on September 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 3rd message released today, and the last post was 10 hours ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 16 of his 594 posts over the last 30 days classified as Trump Business & Personal Brand posts.

The funding claim mirrors what Trump has said since the project began. He repeated that the $400 million ballroom cost will be covered by donors, including him, and that the work is being done in strict coordination with the military and U.S. Secret Service, according to Public Broadcasting Service. “This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” Trump said. “This is a gift to the United States of America.”

The project has doubled in size and cost over a year, growing to include a rooftop drone port, an underground hospital and top secret military facilities, according to BBC Online. The administration revealed plans for a roughly 90,000-square-foot space seating 650 people, a significant increase on the 200-seat capacity of the East Room, according to bbc.com. Diggers flattened the entire East Wing, which had stood for more than 120 years, within a couple of days after they arrived, according to bbc.com.

Republicans in Congress proposed $1 billion in public funds for security features tied to the site, prompting Democratic criticism that taxpayers are paying for the ballroom, according to factcheck.org. Trump said the funding was a private matter when the project was announced on July 31 at an estimated cost of $200 million, adding that he would likely have some donors, according to factcheck.org. A press release said Trump and other patriot donors committed to funding the structure, while the Secret Service would provide security modifications, according to factcheck.org.

Public opinion has run against the project. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in April found 56% of U.S. adults oppose Trump’s decision to tear down the East Wing, while 28% support it, according to Public Broadcasting Service. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to halt construction until Congress approves plans for the building, according to pbs.org.

The security question deepened after the April 25 shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Some congressional Republicans cited security concerns and proposed public funding, according to factcheck.org. The Secret Service chief reportedly told Republican lawmakers in a May 12 meeting that only $220 million of the $1 billion proposal would fortify the ballroom with bulletproof glass, drone detection equipment and other security elements, according to factcheck.org.