President Trump has recently unveiled plans for a $200 million state ballroom to be built off the White House’s East Wing. This extravagant addition is just one in a series of controversial design decisions made by Trump for the presidential headquarters, including the ornate gilded décor in the Oval Office and the controversial pave-over of the historic Rose Garden.
The proposed ballroom, set to begin construction in September, will be a massive 90,000-square-foot space that can accommodate up to 650 people, a significant increase from the current 200-person capacity of the East Room. The project will involve relocating offices, including those of the First Lady and the military, and will be funded by Trump and undisclosed “patriot donors.”
Architect James McCrery, co-founder of the National Civic Art Society (NCAS), has been tasked with designing the ballroom. Known for advocating against Modernism in federal architecture, the NCAS played a significant role in Trump’s 2020 executive order mandating federal buildings to be constructed in a “classical” style. The proposed design for the ballroom includes high-arched windows, massive chandeliers, fluted columns, and ornate ceilings.
The announcement of the ballroom project has sparked criticism and comparisons to the extravagant spending of French monarchs Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Many have pointed out the irony of Trump’s lavish architectural projects amidst rising healthcare costs and economic challenges faced by many Americans. Some have drawn parallels between Trump’s properties, such as Mar-a-Lago and his New York City apartment, and the opulence of Versailles.
Despite the backlash, the construction of the state ballroom is set to proceed, adding yet another controversial chapter to Trump’s legacy of extravagant design choices for the White House.
