Judge won't stop Trump's plan for $400M ballroom
By: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
USA Today
..... A federal judge declined to stop president Donald Trump's plan to build a $400 million ballroom at the site of the White House's now-demolished East Wing, saying preservationists failed to meet the high bar to halt the project for now.
.....
The National Trust for Historic Preservation field a lawsuit in December [2025] against Trump and several federal agencies asking to stop construction on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The nonprofit argued that Trump should have sought Congress' authorization prior to demolition.
..... U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon said the group did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers. Rather, it based its challenge "on a ragtag group of theories" under federal law and the Constitution.
..... Still, he said the court would consider additional efforts if the group decides to amend its complaint.
..... Leon predicted in January [2026] that his verdict wouldn't be the end of the saga.
..... "Whichever side wins, the other side will appeal," Lean said. "So this case is going to go to the DC Circuit, for certain, and, maybe, perhaps even to the Supreme Court. Who knows?"
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On February 19, [2026] the Commission of Fine Arts, a panel whose members were all appointed by Trump, unanimously approve a plan for the ballroom, clearing one of the hurdles.
..... The National Commission on Capital Planning the central planning agency of the federal government, will hold a public hearing March 5. [2026] The 12-member panel, the majority of whom are Trump-appointed allies, will vote on the project on the same day.
..... The White House announced the construction in July and by October
[2025] of the East wing to make way for the ballroom, sparking concern from critics, preservationists and a few former residents, including former first ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
..... At a January [2026] hearing, Leon questioned whether the president has the authority to level the East Wing and construct the ballroom using a deliberately complicated funding setup with private money while avoiding congressional authorization.
..... Trump's team countered in court that the president did not need approval from lawmakers because the project is not using taxpayers dollars.
..... Donors include Palantir, Lockheed Martin and Meta, according to a list provided by the White House. The Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit, is mismanage the $400 million in donations for the project.
..... Democratic lawmakers have raised alarm about accepting funds from companies with business before the federal government.
..... "Trump's gold-encrusted ballroom had become a vehicle for corruption," said Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts.
..... The plan has gone though various changes since the initial announcement, including financing, seating capacity and cost. The price tag jumped from $200 million to $400 million, and the ballroom is now expected to accommodate 1,000 people.
..... Trump's project "will overwhelm the White House itself" which is 55,000 square feet, said National Trust for Historic preservation CEO Carol Quillen.