US media report, citing The Washington Post, which revealed internal government cost estimates, that the new ballroom construction project in the East Wing of the White House under President Donald Trump has ballooned to $600 million, or about 19.5 billion baht, with more than half of the funding coming from taxpayer money already spent on the project.
The report states that this figure contradicts what Donald Trump has consistently told the media, previously claiming the project would cost about $400 million, up from the $200 million initially estimated when it was launched in July 2025, and repeatedly insisting that only private donations and his own personal funds would be used, with no taxpayer money touched.
However, a project summary from Clark Construction, the main contractor, submitted to the White House on 5 March, clearly states the budget has expanded to $600 million. Of this, only $293 million comes from "private funding sources," with the remainder—more than half—comprising government budget funds derived from taxpayers, including $155 million from the Presidential Protective Service, $149 million from the White House Military Office, and $3 million from the Executive Residence management.
Additionally, product documentation and emails reveal that the government has approved tens of millions of dollars in public funds to the contractor since the project began, including $3.6 million for site preparation before demolition and $1.6 million for dismantling the historic East Wing building, which Trump ordered demolished last year without consulting Congress.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle issued a statement responding to the report, maintaining that President Trump and patriotic American donors collectively contributed approximately $400 million for the ballroom to create a safe and suitable place for future presidents.
The White House clarified that the portion of funds from the government budget covers security systems, which are distinct from the ballroom itself. The project includes building a hospital in the basement and a drone station on the roof.
The spokesperson also cited recent thwarted terror plots, including the FBI’s arrest of five suspects planning to attack the UFC event at the White House attended by Trump, and an armed man attempting to storm a media gala in April, as reasons why the White House needs this 90,000-square-foot ballroom with drone defense and advanced security, since the original East Room and South Lawn are too small and insufficiently secure.
This report sparked sharp criticism from the Democratic Party. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark posted on platform X that "Trump lies every time he says not a single taxpayer dollar was used for his luxurious ballroom, yet he doesn't have a single cent to help reduce living costs for American families."
Meanwhile, some Republicans have expressed concern that this lavish spending scandal could severely impact the November midterm elections, as Americans face a severe cost-of-living crisis, especially record-high oil prices caused by the war in Iran. Polls show 56% of Americans oppose demolishing the historic building to build this new ballroom.
Currently, the construction continues amid legal battles. A lower court judge ordered a halt to above-ground construction in March following petitions from environmental and historic preservation groups, but an appeals court later stayed that order, allowing construction to proceed while awaiting a final ruling. Trump continues to tour the site with media, reiterating, "This is a gift I give to the United States, funded by my personal money and donors—not taxpayer money."
.sourceUSA TODAY/Washington Post