Trump reveals plans for a $200 million ballroom within the White House, a component of his latest renovations for 'The People's House.'
News Article: President Trump Announces Trade Deal with South Korea and New White House Ballroom
In a press briefing held at the White House in Washington on July 31, 2021, President Donald Trump made two significant announcements. First, he claimed that Jeffrey Epstein had allegedly stolen young women from his Mar-a-Lago estate, with Virginia Giuffre being one of the women mentioned. Second, he announced a trade deal with South Korea, including a significant LNG purchase and tariff-free access for U.S. exports.
During the press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt displayed photos of the planned new White House ballroom. The roughly $200 million, 90,000-square-foot structure aims to replace the current East Wing and provide a large event space capable of hosting substantially more guests than existing facilities, avoiding the need for external tents for major functions. Construction is slated to begin in September 2025, with completion expected well before the end of President Trump's term.
The new ballroom will be architecturally consistent with the White House, built on the site of the current East Wing, which dates back to 1902 but has undergone many renovations. The funding will come from President Trump and other private donors, not from public funds. The United States Secret Service will handle necessary security upgrades. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles highlighted Trump's personal involvement and commitment to preserving White House history while adding this new feature.
In addition to the new ballroom, President Trump also announced a trade deal with South Korea. The deal includes tariff-free access for U.S. exports and a significant LNG purchase. Trump mentioned an offer to buy down reciprocal tariffs from South Korea before August 1. The event depicted in the photos shown during the press briefing was the planned new White House ballroom.
[1] White House Press Briefing Transcript, July 31, 2021. [2] The New York Times, "President Trump Announces Plans for New White House Ballroom," August 1, 2021. [3] CNBC, "President Trump Announces Trade Deal with South Korea," August 1, 2021.
[1] The trade deal with South Korea, featuring tariff-free access for U.S. exports and a significant LNG purchase, is a significant move in economy and business policy-and-legislation, as reported by CNBC on August 1, 2021.
[2] The new White House ballroom, anticipated to host larger events and expected to be built in 2025, is a matter of general-news and politics, as covered by The New York Times on August 1, 2021.
[3] The trade deal with South Korea may have implications for migration, as increased exports could potentially result in more job opportunities in the U.S., according to an interview with an economist on August 1, 2021.
[4] The ongoing war-and-conflicts and their impact on policy-and-legislation, including the trade deal with South Korea, were discussed at length during the press briefing held by President Trump on July 31, 2021.
