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Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: Ballroom
February 19, 2026
Lawfare

Fine Arts Commission Approves Trump’s White House Ballroom.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved design plans for President Donald J. Trump’s proposed White House ballroom.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The East Wing of the White House was demolished in October 2025; the commission approved the project during a February 2026 meeting in Washington, D.C.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “We have to protect the country and the country’s guests, and this is a facility that is definitely needed for over 150 years,” said U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr.

🎯IMPACT: The project has sparked Democrat lawfare challenging its compliance with historic preservation laws.

IN FULL

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has granted approval for President Donald J. Trump‘s planned addition of a ballroom to the East Wing of the White House. This approval comes after architects addressed a handful of concerns raised by the panel and will put an end to several lawsuits attempting to stop the ballroom addition.

“We have to protect the country and the country’s guests, and this is a facility that is definitely needed for over 150 years,” the commission’s chairman, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., stated. The East Wing was demolished last October, and the ballroom underwent several subsequent redesigns, expanding its original capacity from 500 to 1,350 guests.

Notably, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has attempted to sue to block the construction, claiming that “No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever.” However, The National Pulse reported last December that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon—a George W. Bush appointee—found that the National Trust for Historic Preservation failed to demonstrate that “great and certain” harm would occur if construction proceeded.

Construction has been allowed to continue pending approval by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. With the former granting said approval, the legal cases against President Trump’s ballroom have lost a critical legal justification.

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January 4, 2026
News

Trump’s Motorcade Made a Surprise Stop Hours Before Maduro Capture.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump stopped his motorcade at a Florida strip mall to purchase materials for his $400 million White House ballroom project.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, White House officials, and staff at Arc Stone & Tile.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Friday morning at a shopping center in Lake Worth, Florida.

🎯IMPACT: The project has drawn criticism for its costs and scope, though Trump maintains it is privately funded.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump had his motorcade pull into a Florida strip mall Friday morning, where he purchased supplies for his $400 million White House ballroom project. According to White House pool reports, the motorcade arrived at a shopping center in Lake Worth, Florida, at 9:46 AM, and Trump visited Arc Stone & Tile, an importer of Italian marble.

A White House official stated that the president was buying lake and onyx marble at his own expense for the ballroom. However, some criticisms arose, with some leftist websites like The New Republic claiming that Trump was shopping for his construction project “on the taxpayer’s dime.”

Trump has a long history of incorporating marble into his projects. He previously remodeled the bathroom in the White House Lincoln Suite entirely in marble, sharing photos of the makeover on Truth Social. “I did it in black and white polished Statuary marble,” Trump wrote, adding that the design was appropriate for the Lincoln era.

The ballroom construction has faced scrutiny since it began with the demolition of the East Wing. Initially estimated to cost $200 million, the project’s budget was later revised to $400 million. Trump has emphasized that the project is privately funded. At least one previous attempt to derail the ballroom construction through lawfare has thus far failed.

Later on Friday and into Saturday morning, President Trump oversaw the operation to capture alleged narco-terrorist Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

Official White House Photo by Molly Riley.

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December 17, 2025
Lawfare

Federal Judge Allows White House Ballroom Construction to Continue… For Now.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge declined to temporarily halt the construction of President Donald J. Trump’s White House ballroom following a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, the Trump administration, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The decision was announced on Tuesday; construction plans involve the former White House East Wing in Washington, D.C.

🎯IMPACT: The Trump administration must submit construction plans to federal review panels by the end of December, while the preservation group continues its legal challenge.

IN FULL

A federal judge has declined a request to temporarily halt construction of a White House ballroom initiated by President Donald J. Trump. The lawsuit, brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, sought an emergency restraining order to stop the project.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon—a George W. Bush appointee—found that the National Trust for Historic Preservation failed to demonstrate that “great and certain” harm would occur if construction proceeded. He noted that the anticipated below-ground work is not set to begin until January, with above-ground work scheduled for April. However, Judge Leon cautioned that President Trump should be prepared to reverse any below-ground construction if it results in alterations to the existing above-ground structure.

While construction on the ballroom is cleared to continue for now, Judge Leon indicated that he intends to hear arguments early next year on whether to issue a longer-term preliminary injunction halting the project. Additionally, he stressed that the Trump administration is to abide by its commitment to submit construction plans to the National Capital Planning Commission before the end of the year.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its lawsuit on Friday, arguing that the administration bypassed legal requirements for consultation with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. The group contends these consultations are typically required before making significant changes to federal property.

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December 12, 2025
Lawfare

Trump Sued Over White House Ballroom Renovation.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit to halt President Donald J. Trump’s planned ballroom construction on White House grounds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, and other federal entities.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on December 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President Biden, not anyone else.” – National Trust for Historic Preservation complaint

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit could delay or halt the ballroom project, citing violations of required review processes and public input.

IN FULL

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump, seeking to block the construction of a ballroom on the White House grounds. The nonprofit argues that the demolition of the East Wing and the planned construction violate laws requiring public review and approval.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., names the President, the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the respective agency chiefs as defendants. The nonprofit claims that the administration proceeded with demolition and construction without submitting plans for review by the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the U.S. Congress.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever—not President Trump, not President Biden, not anyone else,” the complaint states. “And no president is legally allowed to construct a ballroom on public property without giving the public the opportunity to weigh in.”

The White House has defended its actions, asserting that approval is only required for “vertical construction” and not for demolition. White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated, “President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House—just like all of his predecessors did.”

Despite objections from the National Trust, construction crews continue preparations for the new ballroom. The nonprofit insists that the public has been deprived of its right to be informed and to comment on the project, and is demanding that all work be halted until reviews and approvals are completed.

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October 29, 2025
Culture

Trump Fires Federal Arts Board Overseeing ‘Arc de Trump’ and Ballroom Projects.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump dismissed all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency tasked with reviewing design and aesthetic matters.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, the Commission of Fine Arts members, and a White House official.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The dismissals were announced on Tuesday, with the Commission operating in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts is terminated, effective immediately.”

🎯IMPACT: The White House plans to appoint new members aligned with Trump’s America First policies, impacting future federal design projects.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has dismissed all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency established in 1910 to provide expert advice on matters of design and aesthetics. The commission reviews designs for memorials, government buildings, and other federal projects.

An email sent to one of the commissioners stated, “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts is terminated, effective immediately.” A White House official confirmed the move, adding that new appointees will align with Trump’s America First policies.

The White House has not provided further comment on the matter or indicated who will replace the dismissed members. The commission is traditionally staffed by experts in art, architecture, and urban design.

Earlier this month, Trump shared plans for a grand arch near the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but featuring a gold Lady Liberty on top. Trump noted that the design could vary in size, stating, “I happen to like the large one.” Additionally, construction crews were recently seen dismantling part of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a $300 million ballroom funded by donors.

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October 24, 2025
Lawfare

Trump Faces Lawsuit Over White House Ballroom.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A Virginia couple filed a lawsuit to stop the demolition of the White House East Wing as part of President Donald J. Trump’s $300 million plan to build a new ballroom and modernize the structure.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Plaintiffs Charles and Judith Voorhees, President Trump, and National Park Service Director Jessica Brown.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on October 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: While a court date has not yet been set, the lawsuit is unlikely to advance much further. The initial filing does not actually include a formal complaint, and at least one of the laws cited as grounds for the temporary restraining order has specific and clear exemptions for the White House, the Supreme Court, and the U.S Capitol.

IN FULL

Virginia couple Charles and Judith Voorhees filed an emergency motion in federal court on October 23 to halt the demolition of the White House complex’s East Wing outbuilding, part of President Donald J. Trump‘s $300 million plan to build a new ballroom on the executive grounds for state events. In the filing, the Voorhees allege the demolition and planned ballroom violate multiple federal preservation and planning laws.

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration bypassed laws meant to protect national landmarks and ensure public transparency. The filing requests a temporary restraining order “to halt defendants’ destruction of the East Wing of the White House… without legally required approvals or reviews,” according to the plaintiffs’ application for injunctive relief. Attorney Mark R. Denicore, representing the Voorheeses, stated, “I threw that together as fast as I could to try to get it filed as fast as I could.”

While a court date has not yet been set, the lawsuit is unlikely to advance much further. The initial filing doesn’t actually include a formal complaint, and at least one of the laws cited as grounds for the temporary restraining order has specific and clear exemptions for the White House, the Supreme Court, and the U.S Capitol.

The East Wing, historically home to first ladies’ offices and ceremonial events, has already been partially demolished as part of Trump’s proposal to construct a ballroom for official events with large attendance, like state dinners. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration had made clear that the East Wing—a largely 1940s construction entirely separate from the iconic White House Executive Residence—would need to be “modernized” and noted that “plans changed” after consulting with architects and construction firms.

The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom will replace the “small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing” with a larger facility capable of hosting 650 guests, according to a White House press release. The project will be funded by President Trump and other private donors.

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August 21, 2025
News

White House Tours Halted for Trump Ballroom Construction.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Tours of the White House have been postponed indefinitely as construction begins on a new $200 million ballroom.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, White House staff, and the general public who had booked tours.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Construction begins September 1, 2025, on the White House East Wing.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Beginning on September 1st, 2025, the White House will be undergoing extensive renovations. As a result, all tours of the White House are postponed indefinitely,” reads a statement on the website of Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA).

🎯IMPACT: Disappointment among visitors and criticism from some Democrats over the indefinite postponement of tours.

IN FULL

The White House has indefinitely suspended tours as construction begins on September 1 on a new $200 million ballroom funded by President Donald J. Trump. The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House grounds, between the Executive Residence and the Treasury Department’s main headquarters.

Visitors who had booked tours have received cancellation notices. It remains unclear when public access will resume. “Beginning on September 1st, 2025, the White House will be undergoing extensive renovations,” a statement on the website of Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) reads. “As a result, all tours of the White House are postponed indefinitely.”

Some members of Congress, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), have criticized the decision. “Seriously? School trips. Families. All shut out indefinitely for the building of a ballroom?” Klobuchar wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Other social media users also expressed frustration.

The White House Press Secretary has not provided a timeline for when tours might resume. In the meantime, some have suggested alternative attractions in Washington, D.C., such as monuments and museums, which remain accessible to the public. “I was super excited for the White House tour during our trip and it turned out to be a bit underwhelming,” one social media user commented, advising others to explore the People’s House and other landmarks instead.

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