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الوسم: ballroom

  • Trump seeks Supreme Court nod for White House ballroom plan

    Trump seeks Supreme Court nod for White House ballroom plan

    The Trump administration submitted a request to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to approve the completion of a ballroom and an underground security bunker at the White House, asserting that the project is vital for national security.

    Solicitor General John Sauer filed an emergency appeal with the conservative-majority Supreme Court, which includes three justices appointed by President Donald Trump.

    Last year, Trump ordered the demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House to build a large ballroom. However, the project has been delayed in lower courts.

    A federal appeals court last week upheld a lower court’s order to stop construction but temporarily paused their ruling to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.

    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit agreed that such a comprehensive renovation of the White House requires explicit congressional approval.

    Following the ruling, Trump criticized the decision, calling it “horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful,” and announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Initially, Trump claimed the ballroom was necessary for hosting galas and state dinners, but he has since emphasized the addition of an underground military bunker and other security features.

    In the appeal, Sauer highlighted security concerns, stating, “This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that would halt the ongoing construction of a secure military complex, including a fully protected ballroom, at the East Wing of the White House, which is essential for national security.”

    He added, “The President of the United States is not just a tenant but the elected head of the Executive Branch. Congress has authorized him to renovate and secure the White House and its grounds, just as previous presidents have done, without exception.”

    Construction began last year after the sudden demolition of the East Wing, which formerly housed the First Lady’s offices.

    Although Trump has insisted that the ballroom would be privately funded, reports from June indicated significant taxpayer money was allocated to the project, which could cost up to $600 million.

    The ballroom is part of Trump’s broader efforts to leave his mark on Washington, alongside plans to refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, other parks, and to build a massive arch.

    Several of these projects have faced legal hurdles, but the ballroom is the first to be taken directly to the Supreme Court.

  • Trump Reveals Bold Plans for Large Ballroom at the White House

    Trump Reveals Bold Plans for Large Ballroom at the White House

    Construction is underway on the East Wing of the White House, where a new grand ballroom is being constructed, marking one of the most significant updates to the residence in over a century. Workers have begun dismantling parts of the East Wing to clear space for this major project, which President Donald Trump describes as “large, stunning, and built to stand for generations.”

    Photographs taken at the scene show a mechanical excavator tearing through the East Wing’s exterior, leaving behind debris and twisted steel. During a visit with college baseball players on Monday, Trump mentioned, “There’s a lot of construction happening just on the other side that you might hear now and then.”

    Later that day, the president formally announced the commencement of work on the ballroom, which will become the largest addition to the White House in more than 100 years. He shared on his Truth Social platform, “I’m happy to report that the new, magnificent White House Ballroom has officially broken ground.” Trump also highlighted that the East Wing is being “completely updated” and will be more beautiful once finished.

    Typically, the East Wing houses the offices of the first ladies, while the president operates from the West Wing, and the residence itself is the main mansion. Although Trump stated the East Wing is separate from the main building, it’s actually connected via a covered colonnade.

    The new ballroom is planned to cover 90,000 square feet and will seat up to 1,000 guests. It aims to accommodate large state dinners and events that are currently held in temporary tents. Trump hosted a high-profile dinner at the White House last week to raise funds for the project, inviting representatives from major companies like Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin, many of which have commercial ties with the government. The event also featured twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of the crypto platform Gemini, famously portrayed in “The Social Network.”

    Trump emphasized that the ballroom’s funding is coming from “many generous Patriots, great American companies, and myself,” and expressed confidence that it will be a treasured space for future generations. This project is part of a broader overhaul of the White House since Trump’s return to power in January, which has included decorating the Oval Office with gold accents and transforming the Rose Garden.

    Additionally, Trump has proposed an arch in Washington, dubbed the “Arc de Trump,” a plan first reported by AFP, highlighting his ongoing efforts to revitalize and expand the iconic residence.