On May 19, 2026, President Donald Trump gave reporters a tour of the $400 million ballroom under construction on the site of the former East Wing of the White House. The 90,000-square-foot structure will extend six stories underground, housing a military hospital, research facilities, and secure meeting spaces, with the ballroom serving as a protective shield. Trump described the roof as 'drone-proof' and intended for use as a drone port to protect Washington, D.C. He claims the project is privately funded, though the administration seeks $1 billion in taxpayer funds for associated security upgrades. The funding request has stalled after the Senate parliamentarian ruled it ineligible for fast-track passage, and legal challenges have temporarily blocked construction. Critics, including members of both parties, question the project’s cost and necessity amid ongoing economic strain from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Trump emphasized architectural influences from ancient Greece and Rome, while also highlighting the complex’s integrated security design.

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