A commission appointed by Donald Trump has approved plans to build a new ballroom at the White House, a project proposed by Trump amid significant opposition due to bypassing several important procedural steps.
On Thursday, 19 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts overwhelmingly approved the design plans for a new ballroom at the White House, proposed by President Donald Trump.
The commission, entirely composed of Trump appointees, signed off on the blueprint after architects revised it in response to the commission's earlier concerns.
"We need to protect the country and its guests, and this is a facility that must be maintained for the next 150 years," said Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the commission.
The East Wing of the White House was demolished last fall to prepare the site for the ballroom's construction.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to halt the ballroom construction, arguing the project failed to follow legally required review processes, including independent agency review, Congressional approval, and public consultation.
Trump argued the White House needs a new ballroom because existing facilities are insufficient for major national events and hosting foreign dignitaries.
He said the building would be "the most beautiful ballroom in the world," funded entirely by private donations, initially designed to host 500 guests but later expanded to accommodate up to 1,350 people.
The ballroom project has faced strong opposition from historic preservation groups and some public sectors.
"No president has the legal authority to demolish any part of the White House without any oversight, whether Trump, Biden, or anyone else," the National Trust stated in its federal court complaint.
"Nor does any president have the legal authority to build a ballroom on public property without allowing public participation in the decision-making process." The case remains under federal court review.
Thomas Lubke, secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts, said the commission received over 2,000 public comments, "overwhelmingly opposed with more than 99% against the project."
James McCrary, vice chairman of the commission, abstained from debate and voting on Thursday after his architecture firm was originally selected by Trump to oversee the ballroom project, before the government replaced it with the firm Shalom Baranes.
The ballroom project still requires approval from the 12-member National Capital Planning Commission, with the next meeting scheduled for early March to discuss the project.
Six members of this commission were appointed by Trump, and two are Republican members of Congress.
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Source:bbc