Senate GOP Proposes Spending $1 Billion to “Secure” East Wing for Trump’s Mega-Ballroom
NEWS & RESEARCH
In October 2025, President Trump ordered the demolition of the White House East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot, $400 million ballroom. A New York Times investigation revealed that Trump hosted a dinner for project sponsors—including major tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon, crypto giants like Coinbase, and tobacco executives—while allegedly offering to keep donor identities secret. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are proposing an additional $1 billion in security enhancements for the Trump-demolished East Wing. However, the Senate parliamentarian has found that the spending bill could not go forward as written. Trump called for the parliamentarian to be fired, days after she rejected a Republican attempt to include money related to his proposed White House ballroom in a bill that funds immigration enforcement agencies. Republicans plan to tweak the language and resubmit the spending bill.
SOURCES: ABC News | PBS | Politico | Open Secrets | New York Times | New York Times | The Guardian | New York Times | The Hill | Washington Post
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief of MeidasNews, wrote: "Republicans are going to make taxpayers pay for Trump's ballroom. All Trump's claims over 16 months that 'donors' were going to pay for it was always a lie and just another con.”
Former White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, Richard Painter, labeled the project an "ethics nightmare," suggesting wealthy donors are purchasing executive access.
The New York Times Opinion’s editor Kathleen Kingsbury described the demolition as the height of “grift.”
Court Ruling: In March 2026, a judge ordered construction to halt until Congressional authorization is secured, though the ruling is expected to be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Regulatory Delay: The National Capital Planning Commission authorized the project on April 2, despite significant public outcry.
SOURCES: New York Times | BBC | Axios | Reuters
HOW TO FIX IT
Enact the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act, banning anonymous donations and solicitations by the president and institutes a two-year lobbying "cooling-off period" for contributors.
Legislation: H.R.6085 - Stop Ballroom Bribery Act.
