Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Architect Shalom Baranes Faces Backlash Over $400M White House Project

3/21/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Shalom Baranes faces criticism for taking on the $400 million White House ballroom project, a 90,000-square-foot addition, under U.S. President Donald Trump.
The plan has sparked outrage among preservationists and fellow architects, with 29 expressing disapproval in a letter.
Shalom Baranes is 75 years old.
Baranes remains under a nondisclosure agreement.
He has not disclosed his reasons for accepting the project.

1 of 1

Story summary

Shalom Baranes faces criticism for taking on the $400 million White House ballroom project, a 90,000-square-foot addition, under U.S. President Donald Trump.
The plan has sparked outrage among preservationists and fellow architects, with 29 expressing disapproval in a letter.
Shalom Baranes is 75 years old.
Baranes remains under a nondisclosure agreement.
He has not disclosed his reasons for accepting the project.