President Trump has raised outside funding for the project.
President Donald Trump is having a ballroom built in the East Wing of the White House. The former real estate magnate has begun the renovation that he envisioned during his first term. The 90,000 square foot room will have a 900-person capacity, increased from the originally proposed 650. The previous East Room could only comfortably seat 200.
President Trump stated, “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc.” He decried the usual practice of erecting a tent on the South Lawn for the overflow of guests as “inadequate.”
“Ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big beautiful White House Ballroom,” the president announced this past week. “I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!”
President Trump recently hosted a White House dinner for donors to support the project.
Assistant to the president and White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung responded to critics and opponents of the renovation, saying, “Construction has always been a part of the evolution of the White House.”
The original White House, completed in 1800, was destroyed by fire in 1814 when the British burned U.S. government buildings in Washington, D.C. Rebuilding was completed in 1817, and the porticos were added nearly a decade later. The West Wing was part of the expansion in 1902, and the Oval Office was constructed in 1909. A major interior renovation took place between 1948 and 1952 to repair wood beams and replace plumbing and electrical systems. Historical restoration of the White House rooms and Rose Garden began in 1962, but that project ended with the assassination of President Kennedy the following year. Most recently, major upgrades to certain White House infrastructure and grounds were made under President Obama, between 2010 and 2014.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump as he plans renovations and upgrades to the White House and its grounds.
- For wisdom for the president and members of his staff as they implement changes to policy and procedure.
Sources: Daily Wire, UPI News, PBS, NY Post, MSN
