Trump White House ballroom plan swells to $400 million
What's new: The redesign now includes a rooftop drone port, an underground hospital and military facilities beyond the original ballroom proposal.
Plans for a new White House ballroom have expanded sharply in scope and cost over the past year, with the estimated price rising to $400 million from earlier proposals. The project, pushed by President Donald Trump, now includes a rooftop “drone port,” an underground hospital and “top secret” military facilities, according to a BBC Verify review. The administration first pitched a 90,000-square-foot State Ballroom near the East Wing, with seating for 650 guests, far more than the East Room’s 200-person capacity. Trump has argued the project is needed for state visits and is also vital for national security. Republicans have meanwhile sought extra congressional funding for security around the complex, despite earlier promises that taxpayers would not bear the cost.