Story perspectives

Appeals Court Allows Trump’s $400M Ballroom After Shooting

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal appeals court lifted a district judge’s injunction, permitting President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction to continue after the dinner shooting.
The Justice Department filed a nine-page motion to dismiss the National Trust’s lawsuit, calling the plaintiffs afflicted with “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Critics, including the National Trust and journalism ethics experts, argue the ballroom is a vanity project that endangers historic preservation and press independence.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Kelo v. City of New London, holding that taking private land for economic development satisfies the Fifth Amendment’s “public use” clause. The decision sparked reforms in 47 states and 12 constitutional amendments limiting such takings. Echoing that precedent, a federal appeals court cleared the way for President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom despite historic-preservation objections.

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Story summary

A federal appeals court lifted a district judge’s injunction, permitting President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction to continue after the dinner shooting.
The Justice Department filed a nine-page motion to dismiss the National Trust’s lawsuit, calling the plaintiffs afflicted with “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Critics, including the National Trust and journalism ethics experts, argue the ballroom is a vanity project that endangers historic preservation and press independence.

1 / 2