White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt has responded to criticism of a controversial new ballroom project after reports claimed there were design flaws in Trump’s expensive project.
The backlash comes after new scrutiny of US President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, a massive expansion project estimated to cost between $300 million and $400 million. The planned structure, part of the new east wing, will span approximately 90,000 square feet and replace the original wing, which was demolished in 2025.Architects and design experts have recently raised concerns about the proposal, pointing to several unusual features.
These include stairs that appear to lead nowhere, fake windows, and columns that can block interior views. One of the most discussed issues is described as a ladder that has no functional purpose. According to reports, some of the stairs in the design do not connect to any entrance.Levitt dismissed the criticism, taking aim at those behind the reports. In a post responding to the New York Times’ analysis, she dismissed the authors’ expertise and defended the project when necessary.
She said the White House has “needed” a ballroom for decades, and viewed the expansion as an improvement to the historic site.Trump has touted the project as a long-awaited addition that would allow the White House to host large events indoors, rather than relying on temporary tents on the South Lawn. MAGA supporters within the administration also stressed that the hall is funded by private donors, not taxpayers.However, critics, including architects and historians, say the hall’s size and design could disrupt the White House’s historic symmetry and damage its cultural significance. Some also raised concerns about the speed of approvals and the absence of traditional oversight processes.
