President Donald Trump, over the noise of drills and hammers, confirmed off the development website for his controversial White Home ballroom in a tour with reporters on Tuesday.
Trump described the large venture, which began with a demolition of the White Home East Wing, as a fortress for himself and future presidents.
“This can be a defend that protects the whole lot that is inside, the whole lot that is on high,” Trump mentioned. He additionally mentioned that it will be the “most secure constructing ever constructed, for my part.”
With poster board mock-ups in hand of what the completed product will seem like, Trump spoke above the hollowed development website. The underground advanced, Trump mentioned, shall be six tales deep and embody a navy hospital, analysis amenities and assembly rooms.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press close to the development website of his proposed ballroom on the White Home in Washington, Could 19, 2026.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Pictures
“Impenetrable metal” and window glass that’s “roughly 4 inches thick” are among the many safety features, in response to Trump. The roof, he mentioned, may have “huge drone capability” and can act as a “drone port” so “it protects all of Washington.”
Requested for extra element a couple of “drone port,” the White Home provided no extra clarification, referring ABC Information to Trump’s feedback Tuesday morning.
In March, a choose guidelines that Trump cannot construct the ballroom with out authorization from Congress, although he mentioned security-related work might go on. An appeals court then stepped in to permit all development of the venture for now whereas they contemplate the case extra absolutely. A listening to within the case is ready for June 5.
Trump on Tuesday appeared to argue that your complete constructing was interconnected.
“The roof goes with the bottom ground; the bottom ground goes with the roof. The roof additionally goes down into the basement. Every thing is linked. Intertwined, elevators, heating, air con. It is one constructing. That is why we’re attempting to elucidate that that is one well-knit constructing,” Trump mentioned.
A view of the location of ongoing development of the deliberate White Home ballroom in Washington, Could 19, 2026.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photograph
Trump claims ballroom is a ‘present’ with no value to taxpayer
In the course of the tour, Trump additionally maintained his claims that the White Home ballroom itself is not going to value any taxpayer cash.
“So, all of this was paid for on my own. And since I maintain listening to like I am not. We’re freely giving this. This can be a present. This isn’t going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” Trump mentioned.
The president, who has mentioned that he is likely one of the folks paying for the venture, has not publicly launched how a lot he has donated. The White Home additionally mentioned they aimed to boost the funds for the ballroom, the price of which jumped to $400 million, by way of personal donations.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press close to the development website of his proposed ballroom on the White Home in Washington, Could 19, 2026.
Kent Nishimura/AFP through Getty Pictures
“This can be a present to the US of America, and greater than a present. It’ll be probably the most lovely buildings that is ever been constructed within the nation or in Washington, D.C.,” Trump mentioned on Tuesday.
His feedback come as some congressional Republicans seek $1 billion in funding, a few of which might go to the constructing venture. Democrats have panned the proposal.
“Congress is approving cash for safety … However this constructing, I imply, I — I put up the cash to construct this constructing, together with lots of nice patriots,” Trump mentioned.
