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Supreme Court Lets Trump Proceed With White House Renovations

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 6:02 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Trump Approves Renovations

U.S. President Donald Trump authorized extensive White House renovations, including a 90,000-sq-ft ballroom.
The Supreme Court blocked a lower-court order, allowing renovations to proceed.
Two-hundred-fifty workers are constructing the ballroom, an underground military complex, and a drone pad.
Demolition of the East Wing, former first lady’s office, sparked criticism from former officials.
Scaffolding is being removed from the North Portico ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Sept. 24 visit.

Summary

National Trust Sues

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued, saying congressional approval is required for White House renovations.
An Ipsos poll in July found 65 % of voters disapprove of President Donald Trump’s D.C. construction projects.
Trump repeatedly asserted the $600 million ballroom is privately funded, despite reports total costs exceed $900 million.
Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough stripped a Republican $1 billion Secret Service security proposal tied to the renovations.

History

Historical Context

When structural decay threatened the White House in 1948, President Harry S. Truman secured congressional approval for a $5.4 million interior rebuild that gutted the residence, added a steel frame, and finished in March 1952. That overhaul established congressional oversight of White House alterations, a precedent now invoked as the National Trust and Justice John Roberts challenge President Trump’s $900 million ballroom project.

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Trump Approves Renovations

U.S. President Donald Trump authorized extensive White House renovations, including a 90,000-sq-ft ballroom.
The Supreme Court blocked a lower-court order, allowing renovations to proceed.
Two-hundred-fifty workers are constructing the ballroom, an underground military complex, and a drone pad.
Demolition of the East Wing, former first lady’s office, sparked criticism from former officials.
Scaffolding is being removed from the North Portico ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Sept. 24 visit.

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