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History of the West Wing amid WH Ballroom
Political Historian Rich Rubino takes us through the history of the West Wing as President Trump looks to add a new White House Ballroom.
WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend its construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.
Trump administration ordered to suspend White House ballroom construction
What they're saying:
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preservationist group’s request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project.
Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, wrote, "I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have."
Heavy machinery tears down a section of the East Wing of the White House as construction begins on President Donald Trump's planned ballroom, in Washington, DC, on October 22, 2025. (Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!"
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued for an order pausing the ballroom project until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.
White House ballroom
The backstory:
The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer.
In October, Trump posted on Truth Social to say ground had been broken on the ballroom construction.
EARLIER: White House demolition begins for Trump's ballroom: See photos
"Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!" he wrote.
"For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!" he continued.
Big picture view:
A 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space is being added to accommodate 999 people, up from an approximate 200-person capacity in the East Room, which is currently the largest room in the White House.
The White House has been pushing back against criticism of the ballroom plan by noting the history of add-ons to the Executive Mansion during its more than 200-year existence.
RELATED: PHOTOS: Trump's Ballroom renderings show structure nearly twice the size of the White House
A White House spokesperson told Newsweek that President Trump has "full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify" the building.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.