The White House East Wing, long used for the first lady’s official business, is being redeveloped into a 600-person ballroom, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday.
Leavitt said the construction project would be funded by private donors, including President Donald Trump, whose wealth has shot up since taking office, largely from his cryptocurrency ventures.
“President Trump and other donors have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this approximately $200-million structure,” Leavitt said Thursday. “The United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications.”
According to Leavitt, the ballroom will be 90,000 square feet with a seating capacity of 650 people. “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” according to a statement Leavitt read from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The White House issued renderings of the project, which show a Trumpian interior complete with golden chandeliers.
Despite being in very early stages, the project already has three main contractors, according to Leavitt: McCrery Architects, Clark Construction and AECOM for engineering.
McCrery is headed up by James McCrery, who Trump appointed to the Commission of Fine Arts during his first term.
AECOM has spent at least half a million on federal lobbying so far in 2025, according to disclosure reports, including increased investment in the booming Florida-based lobbying firm Ballard Partners where Wiles formerly worked.