The White House has said that it plans to begin aboveground construction of the ballroom in April. “This is an iconic symbol of this nation.” The judge added that Trump was a “steward” of the White House, not its owner. “It does not benefit the [National] Trust, it does not benefit the public, to have this [White House] site dormant,” Roth said. The planned addition represents the most significant change to the White House campus in decades. The White House subsequently submitted plans to the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal review panel that advises on major design projects.

Source: Washington Post March 18, 2026 17:45 UTC