U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a classified military project involving a large complex being built under a new ballroom at the White House, costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
Luxury Above, Military Complex Below
An investment combining luxury on the surface with advanced technology underground is being carried out in strict secrecy and costs hundreds of millions of dollars, according to NBC News. Trump himself revealed this during a program on Air Force One.
The U.S. president stated that the military is constructing a massive complex beneath the new ballroom at the White House, and that work is already underway. “We are ahead of schedule,” Trump boasted. According to him, the ballroom itself is part of a larger investment, and what is being built underneath is an element of an even bigger project.
“The Best Ballroom in the World”
The new facility will feature bulletproof glass and a roof resistant to drone attacks. Media had previously reported on the planned renovation of the military bunker under the East Wing. This section of the White House was demolished in October to make way for the president’s ballroom, costing over $400 million, which drew criticism from many politicians and heritage advocates.
A ‘Shop’ for What Lies Beneath
Trump told reporters during a Sunday appearance that “the ballroom is essentially just a shell for what is being built underneath.” He simultaneously praised the plans for the ballroom, stating, “It’s very important because it will be with us for a long time and I think it will be the best ballroom in the world.”
A Gift for Future Generations
As NBC News recalls, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a heritage conservation organization seeking to halt the Trump administration’s construction. The National Capital Planning Commission, which is scheduled to vote on the ballroom construction plans in April, received numerous negative public comments regarding the ballroom, with critics calling it “terrifying,” “scandalous,” and “hideous.”
Justification and Capacity
Donald Trump officially announced plans to build a new ballroom at the White House on July 31, 2025, citing insufficient capacity in existing interiors. “The White House does not have enough space to properly host world leaders and organize important state ceremonies,” he stated. The current East Room holds approximately 200 guests, while the new ballroom will accommodate 650. The president called the new project a “gift for future generations,” “necessary for 150 years,” and emphasized that he is building it “with future administrations and the American people in mind.”