[SPEAKER_00]: This is a news.com newsflash.
[SPEAKER_00]: President Donald Trump's plan to build a two hundred million dollars ballroom at the White House's Steering Backlight from critics who see it as an extravagant attempt to cement his legacy.
[SPEAKER_00]: supporters argue it's a long overdue upgrade while opponents question the priorities behind the move.
[SPEAKER_00]: According to the White House, the ballroom construction will begin in September with the entire cost covered by Trump and private donors.
[SPEAKER_00]: In addition to the ballroom, Trump is also ordering renovations to the White House Rose Garden, including paving the area to make it easier for guests to navigate during events.
[SPEAKER_00]: When it rains, it's a disaster and the tense-one-hundred yards away.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's more than a football field away from the main entrance.
[SPEAKER_00]: Trump said of the current setup.
[SPEAKER_00]: And people are slipping down to the tent.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's not a pretty sight.
[SPEAKER_00]: The women with their lovely evening gowns, their hair all done, and they're a mess by the time they get there.
[SPEAKER_00]: Trump has defended the ballroom project as both necessary and overdue.
[SPEAKER_00]: I always said I was going to do something about the ballroom because they should have one.
[SPEAKER_00]: He recently told reporters, so we'll be leaving.
[SPEAKER_00]: It will be a great legacy project.
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think it will be special.
[SPEAKER_00]: When asked if taxpayer money would be used, Trump was forward insisting, no, government dollars, no.
[SPEAKER_00]: The ninety thousand square foot event space will be constructed near the east wing of the White House, with plans to complete it before the end of Trump's turn in January, twenty twenty-nine.
[SPEAKER_00]: Trump envisions the ball of being used for state dinners, business gatherings and large ceremonial functions, both during his presidency and beyond.
[SPEAKER_00]: We've been planning it for a long time, Trump said.
[SPEAKER_00]: They've wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than one hundred fifty years.
[SPEAKER_00]: There's never been a president that was good at ballrooms.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm really good.
[SPEAKER_00]: Despite White House assurances, the project has sparked strong reactions from critics, particularly among Democrats.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is what Doge was all about.
[SPEAKER_00]: Folks, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, referring to Trump's Department of Government officials.
[SPEAKER_00]: cutting things from you and giving it not to some place that needed it, giving it to the big shots who run the show, Donald Trump at the top of the list.
[SPEAKER_00]: The White House responded to criticism and a statement to the Hill, defending the project is fulfilling a historic request.
[SPEAKER_00]: As President Trump has said, for over one hundred fifty years, many presidents, administrations, and staff have all wanted to borrow.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now we have a president who accomplished building.
[SPEAKER_00]: Knowledge, Knowledge, Unfilter.