Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Social Media, US News, Washington, Money
Donald Trump's upcoming plan for a 'state ballroom' has gone down like a lead balloon with Americans.
It was revealed yesterday (July 31) that the administration is constructing a 'much-needed' ballroom, which will be known as The White House State Ballroom, that'll cost as much as $200 million to construct.
Per the announcement, the new addition to the White House will be approximately 90,000 total square feet and will be big enough to host 650 people.
Allegedly Trump and 'other patriots' will be footing the hefty bill for the ballroom's construction, while 'The United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications'.
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Gushing about the upcoming plans, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a media conference: "We are proud to announce that the construction of the new White House ballroom will begin."
She went on: "The White House state ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of innately designed and carefully crafted space with a seated capacity of 650 people, which is a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House."
While the Trump administration are evidently very excited for the new ballroom to be built, the same can't be said for other American citizens. As Trump and his friends band together to raise $200 million, there are others in the US struggling to pay for food and healthcare following the passing of Trump's controversial 'Big, Beautiful Bill'.
As part of the new legislation, there will be welfare cutbacks that could see 12 million people left without health insurance amid changes to Medicaid, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, will also be made.
With all of this in mind, people have criticized the Trump administration for the timing of its ballroom announcement and the vast amount of money that's expected to be spent on erecting the building.
One critic is Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer, who said in a statement: "Right after ripping away health care and food assistance from working families, Donald Trump is starting construction on a $200 million ballroom to host his billionaire donors and ultrarich friends.
"After orchestrating the largest wealth transfer in history from the working and middle classes to the ultrawealthy, and starting a trade war that has accelerated inflation and driven up prices, Trump’s priorities are loud and clear: billionaires first and working families last."
The office for California's governor Gavin Newsom have also publicly slated the White House's plans.
While all the Districts pay extra for groceries and everyday goods, the White House is excited to announce that the Capitol is creating a grand ballroom for opulent parties!
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 1, 2025
May the odds be ever in your favor!!! https://t.co/ZVtPGH28A7 pic.twitter.com/XltCJOxz2d
Sharing a snap of Leavitt holding up a photo of the how the ballroom will look, they compared her to Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games.
Their tweet said: "While all the Districts pay extra for groceries and everyday goods, the White House is excited to announce that the Capitol is creating a grand ballroom for opulent parties! May the odds be ever in your favor!!!"
Somebody else on Twitter said: "Trump cut Medicaid. But good news! He's also building an expensive new 90,000 square foot ballroom at the White House so he can host soirees with his rich friends!"
A different person branded the plans as a 'disgrace'. They fumed: "The White House can spend millions on a ballroom all the while they try and take Social Security, billions of Medicare & Medicaid cuts, kicking millions off Medicaid, and cuts food assistance from the American people. Disgrace."
UNILAD have approached the White House for comment in the wake of the backlash.
