Trump Tours White House Ballroom Construction Site, Calls It a Gift and Security Shield

President Donald Trump led reporters through the demolition site of the White House East Wing on Tuesday, describing the planned underground ballroom complex as a privately funded gift to the nation and a fortified shield for future presidents. Trump spoke over the sound of drills and hammers while holding poster board mock-ups of the finished project.

He said the six-story underground structure would include a military hospital, research facilities and meeting rooms. "This is a shield that protects everything that's inside, everything that's on top," Trump said.

Trump listed security elements including impenetrable steel and window glass approximately four inches thick. He added that the roof would have massive drone capacity and function as a drone port to protect Washington. A judge ruled in March that the ballroom required congressional authorization, though security-related work could continue.

An appeals court later allowed full construction to proceed while the case is reviewed, with a hearing scheduled for June 5. Trump argued the entire building is interconnected. "The roof goes with the ground floor; the ground floor goes with the roof.

The roof also goes down into the basement. Everything is connected. Intertwined, elevators, heating, air conditioning. It's one building," he said.

Trump maintained that the project would cost taxpayers nothing. "So, all of this was paid for by myself. We are making a gift of this. This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer," he said. The White House said it aims to raise the $400 million cost through private donations.

Some congressional Republicans are seeking $1 billion in funding that could support the project, while Democrats have opposed the proposal. "This is a gift to the United States of America, and more than a gift. ," Trump said.