The administration is moving ahead with plans for a sprawling new White House ballroom, and officials are preparing to deliver the project details to federal planners before the end of the month. Will Scharf, who leads the National Capital Planning Commission, told attendees at Thursday’s meeting that his panel expects to review the proposal soon. “Once plans are submitted, that’s really when the role of this commission, and its professional staff, will begin,” Scharf explained.
The proposed structure — a 90,000-square-foot event hall — would be nearly twice the size of the historic White House itself. President Donald Trump has already described the space as capable of hosting 999 people, a capacity far larger than any current venue on the grounds. The estimated budget for the project has climbed to roughly $300 million, exceeding early cost assessments.
Trump addressed financing questions directly on social media, insisting the massive expansion will not fall on taxpayers. He said the ballroom is being paid for entirely through private contributions from “many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.”
