President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the planned White House ballroom will be significantly larger and more expensive than originally envisioned, but insisted the project is progressing efficiently and remains under budget.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected media reports suggesting the project’s cost had unexpectedly surged, blaming what he described as inaccurate coverage.

“The White House Ballroom is going up rapidly on the East side of the White House,” Trump wrote.

He explained that the increase in cost is tied to changes in the project’s scope rather than mismanagement. “The only reason the cost has changed is because, after deep rooted studies, it is approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal.”

According to Trump, the original estimate for the ballroom stood at around $200 million, while the updated design—featuring a larger footprint and upgraded specifications—will come in at “something less than $400 million.”

He said the expanded facility is intended to better accommodate large-scale gatherings, official functions, and future inaugurations.

“It will be magnificent, safe, and secure!” Trump wrote, adding that media portrayals of the revised cost as a budget overrun are misleading and that the project is actually “coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget.”

The ballroom initiative is part of a broader push by the administration to upgrade and reinforce security measures throughout the White House complex amid increasing threats targeting public officials.

As part of that effort, a recently approved Senate reconciliation bill allocates $1 billion for Secret Service enhancements connected to modernization efforts in the East Wing.

Republican lawmakers have emphasized that this funding is intended for security-related improvements rather than construction expenses.

The broader Republican-backed package, valued at nearly $72 billion, also includes substantial increases in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, as part of ongoing efforts to advance Trump’s border security priorities through the reconciliation process.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that the ballroom project is essential for both operational needs and safety concerns.

In the aftermath of last month’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, he renewed his call to relocate major presidential events to a secure venue within the White House grounds.

“What happened last night is exactly the reason” a secure ballroom is needed, Trump said in an earlier Truth Social post, arguing the facility would include “every highest level security feature there is.”

The project is currently facing a legal challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed suit seeking to block construction, claiming that congressional approval was required before work could begin.

However, a federal appeals court has allowed construction to proceed while the legal case continues.

Democratic leaders have criticized both the ballroom project and the associated security funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York accused Republicans of prioritizing a “ballroom” instead of focusing on broader economic issues.

Republicans have pushed back, arguing that enhancing security at the White House and safeguarding presidential events are legitimate national priorities in light of growing threats against officials.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Trump said the project is moving forward quickly.

“This was a necessary change,” he wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

{Matzav.com}