Trump’s $400 Million Ballroom Blocked By Appeals Court—Likely Sending Case To Supreme Court Sara Dorn is a Forbes news reporter who covers politics.Aug 07, 2026, 10:52am EDTToplineA U.S. federal appeals court blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from continuing construction of his ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House—likely kicking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Construction is seen on a new helipad on the South Lawn of the White House, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Additional construction on President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom is seen at right. (Photo by Peter W. Stevenson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)The Washington Post via Getty ImagesKey FactsThe court ruled 2-1 to uphold an preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues the Trump administration unlawfully began construction of the ballroom without congressional approval. The Trump administration has 14 days to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a developing story and will be updated.LOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video