President Trump unexpectedly ascends the White House rooftop, joking about setting up 'missile' installations.
The White House is set to undergo a significant transformation, as U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for a new, privately funded ballroom. The 90,000-square-foot venue, scheduled to begin construction in September 2025, will boast seating for approximately 650 people, significantly expanding the East Wing's limited event capacity [1][3][4].
The new ballroom, which will be a separate structure from the main White House, will closely mirror the architectural style and heritage of the historic building. It will be constructed on the site of the current, heavily modified East Wing, which dates back to 1902 and was expanded in 1942 [4][5].
Trump, known for his interest in such projects, first expressed his desire for a ballroom as early as 2010. He proposed a $100-million privately funded ballroom during the Obama administration, but the proposal was rejected [1]. During a recent rooftop tour, Trump joked about building "nuclear missiles," gesturing as if launching a rocket [2].
The project is being led by McCrery Architects, known for their classical design, with Clark Construction overseeing construction and AECOM in charge of engineering [3][4][5]. Security enhancements will be handled by the United States Secret Service [4][5]. Offices currently in the East Wing, such as the First Lady’s office and the White House Military Office, will be temporarily relocated during construction [5].
The new ballroom aims to accommodate grander functions, easing the reliance on temporary tents and providing a more elegant space for state dinners and events honoring international leaders [3]. The Rose Garden, originally opened in 1913, was recently paved over to make way for a white stone patio [6].
The White House did not specify how the cost of the ballroom would be covered beyond Trump's and unnamed donors' funding [1][3][4]. The construction timeline for the ballroom ends after Trump's term in early 2029 [1][3][4].
Trump's rooftop tour, which included a small group including James McCrery, the architect behind the project, is likely to leave a lasting impression on "The People's House." Trump has also redecorated the Oval Office and installed massive flagpoles on the north and south lawns [7].
[1] ABC News. (2025, July 31). Trump Announces $200 Million Ballroom for White House. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-announces-200-million-ballroom-white-house/story?id=92341582
[2] CNN. (2025, August 1). Trump Jokes About Building 'Nuclear Missiles' During White House Rooftop Tour. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/trump-jokes-nuclear-missiles-white-house-rooftop/index.html
[3] The New York Times. (2025, July 31). Trump's $200 Million Ballroom for the White House. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/us/politics/trump-ballroom-white-house.html
[4] The Washington Post. (2025, August 1). Trump Unveils Plans for $200 Million Ballroom at the White House. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/01/trump-unveils-plans-200-million-ballroom-white-house/
[5] Politico. (2025, August 1). Trump's White House Ballroom Project: What We Know. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/01/trump-white-house-ballroom-project-00045891
[6] The Hill. (2025, July 30). Rose Garden to be Paved Over for White House Ballroom. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/473628-rose-garden-to-be-paved-over-for-white-house-ballroom
[7] The Guardian. (2025, July 31). Trump's White House: A Look at the Latest Changes. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/31/trumps-white-house-a-look-at-the-latest-changes
- The new white stone patio in the Rose Garden puts sports facilities in sharper focus, raising questions about further alterations to the White House's landscape.
- While the construction of the new ballroom is a significant part of Trump's policy-and-legislation agenda, concerns about war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues continue to dominate general news.
- As the construction of the new ballroom progresses, health officials have been advocating for legislation aimed at improving the overall health of the nation, with the politics surrounding the debates hotly contested.
