Overview

• President Trump spent nearly 20 minutes on the West Wing roof on August 5 in a secured walkthrough with architect James McCrery to survey the site of the planned 90,000 sq ft, $200 million East Wing ballroom.
• Videos of the rooftop tour, in which Trump quipped about building “nuclear missiles,” went viral and triggered widespread social media reaction, reinforcing the project’s political and cultural resonance.
• The Rose Garden has been paved over with white stone as part of broader renovations, drawing criticism from preservationists who warn of eroding the White House’s historic character.
• White House officials say the privately financed ballroom will break ground in September and be completed before President Trump's term ends in January 2029.
• Critics argue the ambitious upgrade reflects a personalized legacy push reminiscent of Mar-a-Lago, while supporters hail it as a long-overdue functional enhancement to the People’s House.