President Donald Trump on Sunday railed against legal efforts to stop the construction of a huge ballroom on the grounds of the White House.
“There is no practical or reasonable way to go back,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “THEY ARE TOO LATE!”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation last month sued to block the building of the ballroom after Trump last year demolished the East Wing with little notice to make room for the new building, which will dwarf the main residence.
Marine One, with President Donald Trump on board, takes off from the South Lawn, Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the White House in Washington,. The new ballroom construction is shown on the right. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) via Associated Press
Trump shot back:
“The so-called ‘preservationists,’ who get their money from the most unusual places, should not be allowed to stop this desperately needed addition to our GREAT White House, a place that a President has never needed permission to alter or improve, because of the special reasons on which he stands, however great (and important!), that improvement may be.”
US District Judge Richard Leon last week questioned the administration’s legal authority on the project and appeared skeptical as he considered a potential injunction. The judge said that he will decide next month.
Trump said the up to $400 million cost of the ballroom would be financed by private donations, raising ethical and other questions the White House has yet to answer.
But on Sunday, he defended the planned facility as “a great, great, beautiful gift to the United States of America” and complained that the East Wing had been “bastardized” by previous renovations.
Work continues on a largely collapsed portion of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, ahead of the construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) via Associated Press
Trump also said that the case led to the release of “top secret” information about the project.
He wrote:
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“Furthermore, in this case, it is being done with the design, consent and approval of the highest levels of the Military and Secret Service of the United States. The simple introduction of this ridiculous cause has already, unfortunately, revealed this Top Secret fact until now. Stopping the construction, at this late date, when so much has already been ordered and done, would be all devastating for our White Country.”
While he didn’t get more specific, the East Wing was known to house the Presidential Emergency Operations Center ― also known as an “underground bunker,” which Trump reportedly used during protests in 2020 — and the new project is likely to replace and/or upgrade the facility.
Trump has been obsessed with the project, which he often brings up without prompting. Earlier this month, he even interrupted a White House meeting with oil industry executives to stand up, turn to a window, and look at the construction site.
Trump on Sunday fired messages on Truth Social about a number of topics including complaints about the NFL, Canada and journalist Don Lemon. He also wrote some messages about the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis, which only grew more tense after federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
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But it was his ballroom message that stuck to the top of his feed.
See the full message below:
Donald Trump on Social Truth Donald Trump
Donald Trump on Social Truth Donald Trump
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