Trump Addresses Reports He Will Name New White House Ballroom After Himself
President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed media reports suggesting he planned to name the new White House ballroom โ which will replace the outdated East Wing โ after himself.
The report, published by ABC News, claimed the 90,000-square-foot facility would be called โThe President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.โ But Trump quickly set the record straight.
โI donโt have any plan to call it after myself, that was fake news,โ Trump told reporters. โWeโre probably going to call it the presidential ballroom or something like that. We havenโt really thought about a name yet.โ
Trumpโs comments come as construction continues on what is expected to be a major modernization of the White House complex โ a project the administration says will better serve official state events and visiting dignitaries.
A Vision for Renewal and National Pride
According to ABC News, roughly $350 million has been raised for the ballroomโs construction, exceeding the projected $300 million cost. President Trump suggested that surplus funds could support another ambitious initiative: an iconic arch to be built at the entrance of Washington, D.C., near the Lincoln Memorial.
โYou know, weโre going to be building the arc,โ Trump said. โAnd weโve raised a lot of money for the ballroom, so maybe weโll put โ the arc is going to be incredible for Washington, D.C. So maybe we use it for the arc.โ
The administration expects the ballroom to be completed before the end of Trumpโs term in 2029. Supporters say the project symbolizes renewal and the continuation of Americaโs tradition of strength and elegance at its seat of power.
Demolition Meets Predictable Backlash
Earlier this week, crews finished demolishing the East Wing โ a move that drew predictable criticism from establishment voices and Democratic allies. A YouGov poll found about half of Americans disapprove of the demolition, while many others see it as a step forward for modernization and security.
Among the most vocal critics was USA Today, which published an opinion piece by Chelsea Clinton condemning the construction. She claimed it represented โa reflection of how easily history can be erased when power forgets purpose.โ
Former White House aide Michael LaRosa, who worked for Jill Biden, echoed the sentiment, calling the demolition โsadโ and โheartbreaking.โ Still, even he admitted, โI donโt think that thereโs any question a ballroom is probably needed.โ
The East Wing: History Meets Modern Necessity
While some opponents point to the East Wingโs historical roots, Trumpโs supporters argue that progress and preservation are not mutually exclusive. The East Wing dates back to the early 1800s, when Thomas Jefferson added colonnades that were criticized even then as โaristocratic.โ
Over the years, the space evolved โ from Teddy Rooseveltโs renovations to Franklin D. Rooseveltโs additions, including a movie theater and a bunker used during national emergencies. That bunker, known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, was used by George W. Bushโs cabinet on 9/11 and by President Trump during the 2020 unrest.












