President Trump displays a rendering of his proposed $250 million White House ballroom on Oct. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images
On Friday, the Supreme Court allowed President Trump to proceed with constructing his ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House without needing congressional approval for the time being.
Despite assurances from the president that taxpayers wouldn’t bear the cost, the new ballroom is projected to cost at least $300 million to taxpayers.
This decision followed months of negotiations between the Trump administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sought to halt the ballroom’s construction. The nonprofit insisted that Congressional approval was necessary for building over the East Wing, historically housing offices for the first lady.
The proposed ballroom is set to be a 90,000-square-foot addition, doubling the size of the main White House complex.
Trump has maintained that the ballroom is essential, referencing the lack of space for events with foreign dignitaries. He also claims it will provide vital national security features, including bomb shelters, a hospital, sniper nests, and a drone port.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after months of conflicting lower court rulings on the ballroom project.
Chief Justice John Roberts signed a brief order that temporarily halted the lower court’s pause on construction.
In a recent filing, the trust argued that allowing construction to proceed would effectively close the case, stating, “Rather than obtain permission from Congress, Petitioners have instead decided to try to outrun judicial review” by accelerating construction. They emphasized that, despite every reviewing court finding the project unlawful, and without the Supreme Court’s review, granting the stay would end the case. they wrote.
Trump expressed gratitude for the Supreme Court’s decision on social media, saying, “We are grateful for the Decision of the United States Supreme Court. The Military/Ballroom Complex being built on the hallowed grounds of the White House, which is so vital for National Security, will be THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND!”
The legal proceedings began in March, when Republican-appointed Judge Richard Leon ruled that the construction must stop unless enhancing White House safety and security. The case moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which allowed temporary construction. Leon later clarified that only below-ground construction could continue.
Trump responded on social media, asserting, “It’s all tied together as one big, expensive, and very complex unit, which is vital for National Security and Military Operations of the United States of America!”
After returning to the appeals court, the Trump administration sought an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court.
Construction began last July, closing off public access to the north side of the White House and Lafayette Park. Polls indicate the project, along with other Trump initiatives to redesign the capital, is unpopular with voters.
An April poll from Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos revealed that 56% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s plan to demolish the East Wing for the ballroom.
NPR’s Emily Feng contributed reporting from Washington.
