Report: Trump White House Projects Could Top $900 Million

The Trump administration is preparing to spend at least $900 million on construction, renovation and security projects at the White House complex, with officials contending that much of the work is needed to modernize and protect the executive mansion.

According to The Washington Post, which reviewed contracting and planning documents, the combined price tag could reach at least $927 million, substantially more than previously disclosed publicly.

Projects include President Trump's planned ballroom at the East Wing, improvements to Lafayette Square, a new helipad, and construction of a visitor screening facility.

Rather than requesting a single congressional appropriation for the entire modernization program, the administration has drawn funding from private contributions and transfers from other federal government accounts. Publicly available budget documents show $875 million has been directed to the White House Repair and Restoration account since Trump returned to office.

Of that amount, $500 million was transferred from the Secret Service and White House Military Office, while $305 million came from private donors. An additional $70 million was transferred from an unidentified source.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended the projects, calling them long-needed improvements. "President Trump continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify the People's House as we celebrate our great Nation's 250th anniversary of independence," Ingle said. "Thanks to the Builder-in-Chief, the White House will be properly glorified and remain in excellent condition for generations to come."

The disclosure comes as the administration faces a court fight over Trump's proposed ballroom. A divided federal appeals court ruled Friday that above-ground ballroom construction cannot proceed without congressional authorization, though it permitted certain underground security-related work to continue.

Trump said he will appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing the ruling could jeopardize national security. The president has stressed the project encompasses bomb shelters, medical facilities, missile-resistant construction, defenses against drones and other security improvements.

Trump has maintained that taxpayers will not bear the cost of the ballroom itself, which he says is being financed through private contributions. The White House says $400 million in private donations will finance the ballroom, while federal funds are directed toward connected security infrastructure.

The appeals court delayed implementation of its ruling for two weeks, giving the administration time to seek Supreme Court intervention.