The Trump administration is planning at least $900 million in construction and modernisation projects at the White House, with the overall cost potentially reaching $927 million, according to reports. If completed at that level, the work would represent the most expensive major overhaul of the White House in more than 80 years. The projects include a planned East Wing ballroom, a visitor screening centre, a helipad and other security and infrastructure upgrades.

The administration has reportedly assembled much of the funding by transferring money from other government agencies and securing private donations rather than seeking direct congressional approval for the entire amount. Government records reviewed by The Washington Post show that about $875 million has been moved into a White House account normally used for routine repairs and maintenance since Donald Trump took office. The account typically receives around $2.5 million annually from Congress.

The transferred funds include $500 million from the US Secret Service and White House Military Office, along with $305 million in private donations. Another $70 million could not be identified from the documents reviewed by The Washington Post. The administration has also planned improvements around Lafayette Square and other projects related to security and infrastructure as part of the broader White House modernisation programme.

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The East Wing ballroom is expected to account for a significant portion of the expenditure. The project was previously estimated to cost about $600 million, while the White House has said $400 million in private donations will fund the ballroom. Trump has repeatedly maintained that the ballroom would be financed privately. The administration has presented the wider construction programme as necessary renovations and improvements to the White House complex.

Trump’s ballroom project has also faced a legal challenge. A US federal appeals court ruled against the administration’s plan to proceed with construction without congressional approval, holding that Congress has authority over the construction and demolition of White House structures. Trump has indicated that he will appeal the decision, while the court stated that the decision to construct a major ballroom was for Congress to determine.

White House spokesperson David Ingle defended the administration’s plans, describing the renovations as long-overdue work intended to improve and preserve the White House. He linked the project to celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence and maintained that the work would help keep the building in excellent condition for future generations. The scale and funding of the proposed projects, however, have drawn scrutiny as the administration moves ahead with its plans.

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