Trump Shares Mysterious Message After Significant Setbacks in Building Projects

Former President Donald Trump has released a puzzling statement regarding his ambitious White House ballroom project following tensions with the architect he personally selected. At 79, Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, reiterating that the massive ballroom will be privately financed and claiming that the White House has needed and desired such a space for 150 years. He added enigmatically, As long as we are going to do it, we are going to do it RIGHT.

The post comes after a public disagreement with James McCrery II, the architect overseeing the increasingly grandiose ballroom plans. Initially, Trump suggested the new construction would not disrupt the current White House structure, yet the entire East Wing has been demolished to accommodate his vision.

According to the Washington Post, McCrery advised Trump to temper his plans for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which would overshadow the existing 55,000-square-foot residence. The ballroom has expanded from an initial 500-seat design to a space intended for 999 guests, with Trump now envisioning a capacity of 1,350, potentially large enough for a presidential inauguration. McCrery reportedly reminded Trump of a basic architectural principle: an extension should complement, not overwhelm, the original structure.

In a report from the New York Times, Trump allegedly instructed construction teams to disregard zoning, permitting, and code regulations since the site is on White House grounds. McCrery has reportedly stepped back from daily oversight but remains involved as a consultant, expressing pride in working on the project. A White House official acknowledged the design disagreements but described them as constructive dialogue, emphasizing that all parties are committed to realizing the presidents vision for a landmark addition to the White House.

Trump has expedited contractors, bypassing standard government bidding processes, according to the Times. The excavation firm initially quoted $3.2 million, but Trump negotiated the cost down to $2 million. The president aims to complete the ballroom by 2029, coinciding with the end of his second term. Plans have not yet been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, though officials maintain that submission will occur at the appropriate time.

Funding for the ballroom has been secured from corporate donors including Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Caterpillar, Amazon, and Comcast. However, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon explained why the bank has refrained from contributing, citing concerns about perception and potential legal scrutiny from the Department of Justice, as well as existing corporate policies limiting such donations.

Author: Sophia Brooks