WASHINGTON ― The White House plans to begin construction in September on a $200 million ballroom on the east part of the mansion that President Donald Trump has vowed to pay for with his own money and private donations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new "innately designed and carefully crafted" 90,000 square-foot ballroom will be a "much needed and exquisite addition" to hold large events on the White House complex.
The ballroom, which the White House expects to be completed before the end of Trump's term in 2029, will be able to hold 650 people, about 200 more than the White House's East Room, where presidents have historically held large receptions. Trump has frequently complained the White House lacks a proper large-scale ballroom for entertaining.
"President Trump and other donors have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this $200 million structure," Leavitt said during a July 31 briefing with reporters.
Leavitt did not name the donors at the press briefing, nor did the accompanying statement from the White House list them. USA TODAY reached out to the White House to clarify if the donor list would be made public Thursday evening and did not receive an immediate response.
