Trump announces massive ballroom addition to White House
Construction will begin in September, Mr Trump's administration announced this week.
The ballroom, which will seat 650 guests, will be located where the East Wing currently sits. While offices housed there, including the first lady's, will be temporarily relocated, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Nothing will be torn down." The East Wing will also be modernized and renovated during the build.
Trump, who has long floated the idea of a White House ballroom, said the lack of space for large events has forced previous administrations to host state dinners under tents. "They've wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years but there's never been a president that was good at ballrooms," Trump told reporters. "I'm good at building things and we're going to build quickly and on time. It'll be beautiful, top, top of the line."
He emphasized that the new structure will respect the mansion's historic architecture. "It'll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of," he said. "It's my favorite. It's my favorite place. I love it."
Since returning to the office in January, Trump has made several design changes to the Executive Mansion. These include redecorating the Oval Office with gold accents, cherubs, and additional presidential portraits; adding large flagpoles to the North and South Lawns; and replacing the Rose Garden lawn with stone.
"This will be a great legacy project," Trump said. "I think it will be really beautiful."
McCrery Architects will lead the ballroom project, Clark Construction will build it, and AECOM will provide engineering services. Renderings have been posted to the White House website.
According to Leavitt, donations, including a personal contribution from the president, will cover the cost of the project. She did not disclose other donors.
Chief of staff Susie Wiles said the administration is committed to preserving the White House's legacy throughout the process. "President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail," she said.
Trump also hinted at another project in the works: replacing what he described as a "terribly" remodeled bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom. He told NBC News he wanted to restore it with finishes that were more in line with its 19th-century origins.
The last significant structural addition to the White House was the Truman Balcony, completed in 1948.
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Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
The Latest: Businesses and US trading partners worldwide react to Trump's latest tariffs
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Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
COMMENTARY: Canada is facing 35% tariffs. Now what?
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What is clear now is that we are in uncharted waters leading up to the fall, when Parliament returns, with 'national security' a catch-all for more U.S. tariffs. Canada's negotiating position seemed to be complicated by Carney's announcement that Canada would recognize a Palestinian state in September, subject to some conditions — at least according to a Truth Social post from the president. Trump immediately linked that decision with the declining chance of a trade deal, further underlining that every action Canada takes could be tied to decisions about tariffs. Carney may have done this to give both sides an out. If he fails to keep Canada's 'elbows up,' it will invite criticism from every side of the political spectrum. Still, Carney seems to have the public on his side. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Ipsos has tracked Canadians' views on the relationship with the U.S. since February, and our latest Trump, Tariff and Turmoil results show that trust has been broken for some time. In February, 57 per cent of Canadians agreed 'we can never trust the Americans the same way again.' Story continues below advertisement In July, that number stood at 59 per cent, and that was before the president unleashed tariffs on Canada. Some in the Trump administration seem to have been confused by Canada's reaction. U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra has said that he still doesn't fully understand how personal and aggressive some Canadians have become on this issue. But the data makes it clear the answer isn't a big mystery. In addition to feeling like trust has been broken with the U.S., Canadians feel the relationship is rapidly deteriorating. 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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
U.S. visa bonds could cost up to $15K for some foreign travellers
The U.S. State Department plans to start running a pilot program this month that would require some foreign travellers to pay up to US$15,000 for a reimbursable visa bond that deters them from staying in the U.S. longer than they're allowed for business or tourism. Some details are outlined in a public notice that appeared Monday on the Federal Register, but many are still unclear, including which countries would be targeted by the program. The pilot begins Aug. 20, according to a statement the State Department sent to The Washington Post. A cable with a signature from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that was obtained by The Post says the 12-month pilot program is intended 'to protect America's borders and the American people by holding foreign visitors accountable for departing the United States on time.' It will be aimed at countries with high visa overstay rates. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. According to a Department of Homeland Security report on overstays in fiscal year 2023, several countries in Africa as well as Haiti, Myanmar and Yemen have some of the highest overstay rates for business or leisure travel visas. People from countries that participate in the visa waiver program — those who do not have to apply for visas, in other words — would not be required to post visa bonds. That exempts travellers from 42 countries, including much of Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Qatar and Israel. For couples or families, the potential upfront cost of US$10,000 or US$15,000 for each adult and US$5,000 for accompanying children could be prohibitive. The bonds would be cancelled for travellers who leave the country in the time frame allowed and comply with all the conditions of their visa. According to the public notice , published Tuesday, the department assumes bonds would be required for 2,000 potential travellers during the pilot. The notice says the initial cost to travellers would be US$20 million total, if the average bond were US$10,000. 'However, assuming all nonimmigrants for whom bonds are posted comply with the terms and conditions of the bond, the actual bond amount is a temporary expenditure that will be fully refunded if cash bonds are posted,' the notice says. The State Department planned a six-month visa bond pilot in 2020, but never implemented it as global travel dwindled during the pandemic. Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations for the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement that the pilot program's scope 'appears to be limited' and would likely only affect visitors from countries with a 'relatively low travel volume' to the U.S. The group said it was most concerned about a blanket $250 fee for visitors travelling on a nonimmigrant visa, which President Donald Trump signed into law last month. 'If this fee is implemented, the U.S. will have one of, if not the highest, visitor visa fees in the world,' Hansen said. 'If we are to maintain a competitive position in the global travel market, it's critical that U.S. visa policy reflects both national security priorities and the significant economic value of international visitation.' Hannah Natanson, Andrea Sachs and Adam Taylor contributed to this report.
