The cost of refurbishing the White House ballroom under President Donald Trump has doubled, prompting scrutiny from British luxury contractors involved in the project. The original budget of $2.5 million has swelled to $5 million, according to documents reviewed by The Guardian. The renovations, which include new chandeliers, gilding, and marble flooring, are part of a broader effort to restore the state rooms ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
Three British firms, specialising in heritage restoration, have expressed concern over the escalating costs. One contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We were given a clear brief and a fixed price. Now we are being asked to absorb additional expenses for materials that were not specified in the original tender.” The firms have raised the matter with the White House chief usher, who oversees the building’s operations.
The overspend is likely to reignite debate over the use of taxpayer funds for White House renovations. The Trump administration has defended the project as necessary maintenance. “The ballroom had not been updated since the Clinton years,” said White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders. “It’s about preserving the dignity of the people’s house.”
However, critics note that the Trump family has a history of expensive renovations, including a $1.2 million redesign of the Oval Office carpet and drapery. The ballroom project, originally slated for completion in March, is now expected to last until June.
The British contractors, known for their work on Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, have threatened to withdraw if costs continue to rise. “We have a reputation to protect,” said one source. “We cannot be associated with waste.”
