White House ballroom now taller than main residence, photos show
New images released Wednesday show the unfinished structure dwarfs the executive mansion, prompting criticism from two House Democrats.
By Amina Howard ·
Newly released photographs reveal that the unfinished White House ballroom has grown larger than the executive mansion itself. The images, taken by an Associated Press photographer on Tuesday, show the new structure rising significantly higher than the surrounding buildings. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina posted one of these images on social media on Wednesday evening. Clyburn wrote that he hoped the public would examine the picture closely. He noted that the ballroom under construction is now bigger than the rest of the White House. The South Carolina Democrat added that the visual contrast clarified the president’s priorities.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky shared the same photograph on Thursday. McGarvey stated that the project represented what President Trump was doing while millions of Americans struggled to afford rent. The ballroom is part of a larger renovation effort undertaken by the administration. The project required the demolition of the East Wing to make space for a 90,000-square-foot structure. This change sparked legal battles throughout the year between the White House and conservation groups.
The administration argued that the construction was necessary for national security. The National Trust for Historic Preservation disputed this claim, stating the project exceeded the president’s authority. At a press conference held shortly after the midterm elections, Trump signed the final beam in the construction zone. He stood with construction workers and other officials during the event. Trump described the new building as the most powerful structure ever built. He said it was designed to provide safety for the president. He also noted that having a ballroom had been a presidential dream for 150 years.
Cost estimates for the project have shifted since it was first announced. The president initially stated the addition would cost 400 million dollars. He said the funding would come entirely from private donors. A report from The Washington Post in late August suggested the cost could reach 600 million dollars. That report indicated some funds would need to come from taxpayers. The two House Democrats who posted the photos did not respond to requests for comment before the deadline.
