Story perspectives

Court Halts Trump’s $400 Million White House Ballroom Project

8/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals halted President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction.
The 2-1 decision affirmed a lower-court injunction that Congress must approve the 90,000-square-foot project.
The ruling was stayed for 14 days, allowing the administration to petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued in December 2025, argued only Congress can authorize White House alterations.

History

Historical Context

In 1902 Congress funded Theodore Roosevelt’s White House renovation, allocating $10,000 for new furniture and approving broader repairs and adding a temporary West Wing office building for staff. The 2025 D.C. Circuit injunction blocking Donald Trump’s $400 million East Wing ballroom cites that historic appropriation requirement, showing early congressional controls still shape presidential construction.

1 of 2

Story summary

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals halted President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction.
The 2-1 decision affirmed a lower-court injunction that Congress must approve the 90,000-square-foot project.
The ruling was stayed for 14 days, allowing the administration to petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued in December 2025, argued only Congress can authorize White House alterations.

1 / 2