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Trump Blocked From Building White House Ballroom Until Congress Approves

8/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump must halt construction of a 90,000-sq-ft White House ballroom addition until Congress approves, judges said.
The judges said each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House and Executive Residence.
They noted no precedent of a president unilaterally demolishing White House sections with private funds.
The ruling is paused for two weeks to allow the administration to seek Supreme Court review.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump must halt construction of a 90,000-sq-ft White House ballroom addition until Congress approves, judges said.
The judges said each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House and Executive Residence.
They noted no precedent of a president unilaterally demolishing White House sections with private funds.
The ruling is paused for two weeks to allow the administration to seek Supreme Court review.