White House Will Continue Construction on 90,000-Square-Foot Ballroom During Government Shutdown

The construction of the new White House ballroom will continue despite the ongoing government shutdown, according to ABC News.

At 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the U.S. government officially shut down after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a new budget before the midnight deadline.

Later that day, a White House official confirmed that the ballroom project would not be affected. “There will not be a stoppage of ballroom work when the shutdown occurs,” the official said, as reported by ABC News.

According to a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget, the construction is privately funded by President Donald Trump and other donors, which exempts it from the federal budget disputes that caused the shutdown.

“Work will continue to be performed as the funds currently supporting are not tied to a FY26 enacted appropriation,” the official added.

Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom on July 31, describing the 90,000-square-foot, $200 million East Wing addition as a long-awaited enhancement to the White House.

The ballroom will serve as a space for hosting foreign dignitaries and official events. The design is expected to include gold chandeliers, coffered ceilings, Greek columns, and arched windows—reflecting the ornate style often associated with Trump’s Palm Beach residence, Mar-a-Lago.

On Sept. 12, Trump highlighted the project’s progress, noting that construction vehicles had arrived on-site. “They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get for about 150 years,” he said. “It’s going to be an absolutely magnificent structure.”

The East Wing, built in 1942, was originally added to accommodate an underground bunker. Since 1977, it has also served as office space for the first lady and the White House social secretary.

First Lady Melania Trump and her staff will temporarily relocate while construction is underway, which began in September.

The White House has not announced a completion date but indicated that the ballroom will open “long before the end of President Trump’s term.”