Trump Tours White House Ballroom Construction Site

President Trump took reporters to the construction site of a new White House ballroom on Tuesday. Over the sound of drills and hammers, he described the project as a secure facility that would protect the building and future presidents.

Trump said the underground complex would be six stories deep and include a military hospital, research facilities and meeting rooms. He added that the structure would feature impenetrable steel and window glass approximately four inches thick. The roof would include massive drone capacity and function as a drone port to protect Washington, he said.

Trump stated that the ballroom would be paid for by himself and private donors and would not cost taxpayers. He described the project as a gift to the United States that would become one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. Some congressional Republicans are seeking $1 billion in funding that would cover security elements of the project.

A federal judge ruled in March that Trump could not build the ballroom without congressional authorization, though an appeals court later allowed construction to continue while the case proceeds. A hearing is scheduled for June 5.

During the same tour, Trump told Semafor that Cuba is a failed nation that needs help from the United States. He said he believes a diplomatic deal can be made and indicated that changing the Cuban regime is not his priority. The United States is expected to unveil an indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro on Wednesday.