Reported costs climbed from $200M to $600M with half from taxpayers
The letter, dated Wednesday and made public Thursday, was addressed to acting Comptroller General Williams Brown. It was signed by eight senators: Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Jeffrey Merkley, Martin Heinrich, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Gary Peters and Patty Murray.
The request follows an appeals court ruling last week that agreed with a district court’s earlier finding that Trump lacks legal authority to construct the ballroom without congressional authorization. Trump unilaterally demolished the East Wing in October and began construction on what was initially described as a $200 million, privately funded facility. Lawsuits filed against the project alleged he needed congressional approval.
The reported cost has risen substantially since. The Washington Post reported earlier this week on records indicating the Trump administration plans to spend at least $600 million on the 90,000-square-foot building, with half to be covered by taxpayers. Trump told reporters as far back as July of last year, when the price tag was $200 million, that “no government dollars” would be used. In May, Trump said, “we are putting up $400 million to do the ballroom section … We are putting that up privately.”
“The subsequent construction of a new White House ballroom represents one of the most sweeping alterations to the White House complex in modern history,” the Democrats wrote.
“The scale of this project, the destruction of historic architecture, the opaque and unorthodox combination of public funds with private funding sources and the absence of standard federal review processes raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and stewardship of this national landmark,” they wrote.
Trump has argued the ballroom is necessary to hold large diplomatic events, saying the East Room is too small and that the White House has had to erect tents on the South Lawn to create capacity. The ballroom is among several projects Trump has pursued that have faced opposition and lawsuits, including plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch, renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and efforts to put his name on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Historic preservation organizations have been among those challenging the projects. The East Wing has already been demolished.
“Given the scale, visibility and long-term implications of this project, an independent GAO review is essential to ensure accountability, transparency and responsible management of federal resources and historic assets,” the Democrats wrote.