President Donald Trump said his planned White House ballroom project will also include military-related facilities, including a hospital, research centers, and secure meeting spaces.
Speaking Tuesday near the South Lawn construction site, Trump said the ballroom would help protect critical operations tied to national security.
“They’re building a hospital, they’re building all sorts of research facilities,” Trump told reporters, adding the ballroom would act as a “shield” for the complex.
Controversy Surrounds Project
The expansion plan has faced criticism from preservation groups and opponents who argue the project bypasses traditional federal review procedures and lacks transparency.
Trump has defended the development by emphasizing its security and medical purposes. He also repeated claims that the ballroom itself is being privately funded, while Congress considers separate funding for security upgrades.
Larger Washington Renovation Push
The ballroom project is part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape landmarks in Washington. Other proposals include renovations to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a new golf course in East Potomac Park, and a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.
The ballroom project remains tied up in legal challenges from historic preservation advocates.
For more on Trump’s ballroom controversy, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.