Trump White House expansion cost $400 million faces lawsuits

A major expansion of the White House, including a large new ballroom and extensive security facilities, is advancing amid ongoing legal challenges and significant questions over its funding and scope. The project, championed by President Donald Trump, has seen its estimated cost double to $400 million since its announcement last year and now incorporates features like a rooftop drone port, an underground hospital, and secure military facilities.

President Trump first announced plans for a new ballroom on June 6, 2025, stating it would be built quickly and designed to be in keeping with the historic White House. The initial proposal described a 90,000-square-foot structure to seat 650 guests, addressing a need for more space for state visits and large events. The president said at the time that these were fun projects he considered while dealing with global affairs.

Over the following months, the project's scale and stated purpose expanded significantly. By April of this year, the plans included bomb shelters, a state-of-the-art underground medical facility, classified military spaces, and a reinforced rooftop landing area. President Trump has increasingly emphasized these...