In an unusual interlude during a high-level meeting, President Donald Trump rose from discussions with top oil industry leaders last Friday to gaze out the window at the ongoing construction of the new White House ballroom, a project whose budget has ballooned significantly.
A Presidential Distraction During Energy Talks
The gathering, which included more than 30 guests such as executives from energy giants Exxon and Chevron, was momentarily paused as Trump stood for roughly 20 seconds to admire the progress. "Unusual time to look, but I figured we might as well," Trump remarked, eliciting light laughter from the seated attendees, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The president had been lamenting the size of current White House meeting rooms, claiming that Friday's assembly could have accommodated "over 1,000 people" if held in the future ballroom. This claim contrasts with the White House's initial statement that the room would have a seated capacity of 650 guests. Spurred by his own comments, Trump decided to take a look. "Come to think of it ― wow. I gotta look at this myself," he said before turning to the window.
"Wow, what a view. This is the door to the ballroom," he told the oil executives, marveling at the scene.
Ballooning Budget and Ambitious Features
Upon returning to his seat, Trump continued to enthuse about the project, boasting about its progress and financials. "You see a very big foundation that’s moving. We’re ahead of schedule in the ballroom and under budget," he stated. However, this claim of being under budget conflicts with recent revelations about the project's escalating costs.
The White House originally projected in July that the project would cost $200 million in donated funds. The construction required the demolition of the East Wing. Last month, however, Trump disclosed that the price tag had doubled, indicating a new projected cost of approximately $400 million.
Major donors identified for the project include Trump himself and several big tech corporations, such as:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Coinbase
- Meta
A Ballroom for a New Era
Trump framed the ballroom as a necessary and unparalleled upgrade for modern state functions, including security. "I don’t think there’ll be anything like it in the world, actually," he told the executives.
He elaborated on its intended uses and features, stating, "The ballroom will seat many, and it’ll also take care of the inauguration, with bulletproof glass, drone-proof ceilings and everything else, unfortunately, that today you need." This highlights the administration's focus on integrating advanced security measures into the heart of the White House's social and ceremonial space.
The incident underscores the president's personal fascination with the construction project, even as it draws on substantial private donations and its budget experiences a significant surge.
