President Donald Trump’s construction on a $200 million ballroom has resulted in an unexpected casualty: public White House tours. According to multiple reports, these tours have been suspended as construction gets underway on the 90,000-square-foot space that Trump has been intent to add. The administration first provided details about the project — which marks one of the largest renovations at the White House in years — in late July. The new ballroom will hold up to 650 people and is aimed at addressing qualms Trump has had about a lack of sufficient space to hold large social events in the building. Because the construction affects the “tour screening process and entry point,” bookings have been paused, CNN reports, and it’s not clear when they will resume. Congressional offices have cited “construction of President Trump’s new ballroom” and “extensive renovations” for the moratorium, The Washington Post reports. “Beginning in September, the White House is pausing tours for the foreseeable future,” reads a page on Rep. Jamie Raskin’s (D-M.D.) congressional website. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Public White House tours have long been a cherished tradition that enables visitors from across the country to get a glimpse of the president’s offices and iconic rooms in the building. Former first lady Jill Biden has previously estimated that about 10,000 people would tour the White House on a weekly basis. There’s precedent to cancel these tours, though it’s typically because there’s a potential conflict, such as a meeting with a world leader that’s occurring around the same time, The Washington Post reports. It’s less common for these tours to be suspended indefinitely for longer periods, the outlet notes. The ballroom construction is set to be completed before the end of Trump’s term and staff are reportedly working on figuring out what a tour looks like in the meantime. “The President and First Lady remain committed to continuing the tradition of public access to the People’s House in the present and for the future,” Nicholas Clemens, a spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, previously told The Hill, noting that the White House was working with other federal bodies to determine how the public could access the space as construction takes place.Close