Trump administration plans to spend at least $927 million on White House construction, bypassing Congress

Funding mechanism

The Trump administration has directed $875 million into the White House Repair and Restoration account since Trump returned to office in January 2025, according to public budget records cited by the Washington Post. The account, managed by the Executive Residence office, which employs fewer than 100 people and is exempt from federal transparency rules, typically receives about $2.5 million annually from Congress for routine maintenance. Of the $875 million, approximately $500 million came from transfers by the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, $305 million from private donations, and $70 million from an unidentified source. Rather than requesting a specific appropriation from Congress, the administration gathered funds from other federal agencies and private donors and deposited them into the maintenance account, which it is now using for what it calls "modernization projects."

Project scope

Confidential contracts and planning documents reviewed by the Washington Post indicate the total cost could reach $927 million, a figure significantly higher than earlier estimates. The centerpiece is a large ballroom replacing the East Wing, which was demolished beginning in December. That project alone accounts for $600 million, half of which falls on taxpayers according to La Stampa. Additional projects include improvements to Lafayette Square, a helipad on the South Lawn, a new visitor screening center, and fountain renovations. Rolling Stone reported that Trump also paved over the Rose Garden to recreate a Mar-a-Lago-style patio. Trump announced in May that the ballroom would open in September 2028 and claimed to have gathered $400 million from donors and himself.

Legal challenge

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the administration needs Congressional approval to proceed with the ballroom construction. The judicial panel found that the decision to build a project of this scale cannot be taken unilaterally by the President. Trump called the ruling a threat to national security, noted that a military complex is also planned at the site, and announced he would appeal to the Supreme Court. La Stampa described the renovation as the most expensive in 80 years.

White House response

White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the work was "long-overdue and necessary" and tied to presidential security, citing a foiled attack during the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.

Recent events such as the foiled attack on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House proves exactly why the East Wing Modernization Project is severely needed for large scale events, which include drone proof structures and drone ports among other critical security enhancements.

Ingle said the work was being done in coordination with the Secret Service and White House Military Office, and that approximately $400 million for the ballroom was coming from "President Trump and generous American patriots."

Scrutiny and concerns

In June, the advocacy group Public Citizen reported that corporate donors to the project had received more than $50 billion in government contracts during the previous six months. The Executive Residence office's contracts are confidential because it is not subject to the disclosure rules that apply to most federal agencies, according to Adnkronos. Experts cited by the Washington Post agreed the amount of money involved was "incredibly unusual," though the funding mechanism is technically within existing rules.