The ballooning cost of Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project has sparked fury on Capitol Hill. Sources say the original $50 million price tag has now doubled to over $100 million. The plan, which involves gutting the East Wing and building a two-storey ballroom, was initially touted as a necessary upgrade for state functions.
But leaks from the General Services Administration reveal the project has spiralled out of control. Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin has demanded an official inquiry, calling it “a monument to presidential vanity”. The White House insists the expansion is vital for diplomatic receptions and will boost morale.
But Republican donors are getting nervous. They fear a scandal ahead of the midterms. Backbench murmurs suggest even Trump’s allies are questioning the optics.
One senior aide told me: “This is a disaster waiting to happen.” The GSA is now under pressure to release full cost breakdowns. Watch this space.
