Big Ugly Ballroom Seems to be in Limbo

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

When Donald Trump had the East Wing of the White House torn down during the third week of October last year with no warning, reviews, requests for public comment, or authority to do so, he immediately began releasing statements about the ballroom that he intended to have built to replace it.  A poll immediately after that destruction (conducted by the Washington Post, ABC, and Ipsos) found that Americans disapprove of the project by 56% to 28% - or a two-to-one ratio.  That same poll showed 88% of Democrats and 61% of Independents are opposed to the new structure, while 62% of Republicans support it.

Trump released several plans and cost estimates for this monument to himself, and his latest announced estimates are that it will cost $300 million, seat 1,350, and have a footprint of approximately 90.000 square feet.  He says the costs won't be paid by taxpayers but instead will be covered by donations from his supporters (oligarch billionaires who are purchasing his favor).

On December 12, 2025, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit in Federal Court to prevent construction of Trump's new vanity ballroom until proper legal reviews can be completed.  The President, the National Park Service, and the US Department of the Interior have each been named as defendants in the case.

The Trust is arguing that the new structure will violate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and that Congress has not authorized the construction.  A decision in the case is expected soon, and whichever side loses is certain to appeal.

One other development:  To no one's surprise, this month the Commission of Fine Arts, a group whose members have all been appointed by Donald Trump, approved the project.  That still does not get them past the pending federal court case.

It will be interesting to see what position the next Democratic nominee for President takes on the future of the ballroom project:  keep it and use it for big parties, keep it and repurpose the structure for the common good, or just bulldoze the sucker down.