U.S. Fine Arts Commission Approves White House Ballroom

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved President Donald Trump's proposal to build a large ballroom on the site of the demolished White House East Wing during its monthly meeting on Thursday in Washington.

The federal panel, composed of members appointed by Trump, gave its endorsement despite earlier concerns raised about the project's scale. The ballroom would cover an area roughly twice the size of the White House itself, according to design details presented to the commission. In January, commissioners questioned the lead architect on the immense dimensions and overall design but expressed broad support for the president's vision.

The project stems from Trump's October decision to raze the East Wing, a move that ignited widespread public criticism. Construction began without the standard independent reviews, congressional approval, or opportunities for public input, processes typically required even for smaller alterations to historic structures in the nation's capital. Preservation advocates argued that the East Wing, completed in 1942 and housing key administrative offices, represented an irreplaceable part of the White House complex.