President defends privately funded White House ballroom after judge's order

The President responded to questions about a judge's order halting construction of a proposed White House ballroom by saying he planned to appeal and defending the project as privately funded.

"It's being financed privately," the President said, adding that donors and companies offered money and "the taxpayer not putting up a dime." He argued that congressional approval was not required for donor-funded work on White House grounds and said the judge's view that congressional approval is necessary was incorrect.

On costs and security features, the President said the ballroom project includes security-driven construction elements such as bulletproof glass, a drone-proof roof and enhanced telecommunications, and gave a rough cost estimate of "300 to $400,000,000 depending on finishes." He emphasized that the work was intended to protect the safety and security of the White House and its staff.

Why it matters: A court order halting construction raises immediate legal and procedural questions about federal oversight of work on executive-branch property and the role of private donations. The President framed the work as security-related and privately financed; the transcript does not include statements from the judge, the court order text, or commentary from independent legal counsel or House or Senate officials about whether congressional approval is required.

What the record shows: The President said he would appeal the judge's order and described technical security features. The transcript does not record an administrative or legal resolution, and there is no record in this event of the contractor, donors, or congressional offices responding on the record.

Next steps: The President said he would appeal; the transcript provides no timetable for an appeal or further proceedings.