Many Americans say the White House has no need for a gleaming, gold-plated new ballroom.
A major step for President Donald Trump’s proposed expansion is scheduled for review at the National Capital Planning Commission on March 5. The plan already cleared the US Commission of Fine Arts in February, but reaction from the public has been overwhelmingly negative, with large numbers of commenters criticizing the concept and its appearance.
That backlash has raised fresh questions about whether Trump’s vision is an unnecessary, overly flashy addition to a historic site.
According to The New York Times, the NCPC received roughly 32,000 messages about the proposal.
Among them was a submission from architect Donna Wax, who described the 22,000-square-foot plan as a “fascist take on classism”. Another commenter wrote: “The size and design of the proposed White House Ballroom are hideous. I object to the decision to ruin the American public’s historical legacy.”
Penny Jarrett also lodged a strongly worded complaint, saying: “What Donald Trump is doing to the White House and proposing for other construction is appalling. How could he just ‘do that’ without consent from you or Congress? PLEASE don’t let him get away with him building this addition, gold-plated monstrosity, as it will be a replica of his ‘gold-plated lifestyle’ which is disgusting.”
The commission, led by a White House staff member who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer, is expected to decide soon whether to move the project forward.
Even a pre-meeting report referenced the “substantial” wave of public feedback, noting that “the majority in opposition” objected to the ballroom. Despite that, the document maintained that proceeding with construction would still be the best course.
Opposition has also come from Capitol Hill. Republican representative Michael Turner, co-chair of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, previously criticized what he saw as mishandling around changes to the building.
“I have substantial concerns regarding the action or inaction by the National Capital Planning Commission and/or the White House during the undertaking of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House,” he shared back in October.
“The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were deeply disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nation’s history.”
Trump, however, celebrated the ballroom plan in a Truth Social post around the same period, writing: “I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!
“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!”