Fake windows, blocked views and stairs leading nowhere: How Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom was trashed by architects

Key Points:

• US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a new White House ballroom, estimated to cost $300-$400 million, has drawn significant criticism from architects and design experts who warn it contains major design flaws and risks disrupting the historic integrity of the White House.
• Critics highlighted impractical features such as fake windows, obstructive interior columns, staircases leading nowhere, and an oversized rooftop, with the ballroom planned to be more than three times the size of the main residence, breaking the building’s historic symmetry.
• The East Wing was demolished in October 2025 before full planning approval, sparking controversy and strong public opposition, with about 98% of over 32,000 public comments opposing the project as inappropriate for the historic site.
• Despite legal challenges and preservationist concerns over bypassed reviews and congressional approval, Trump supporters and the planning commission have pushed the project forward, with the White House stating the ballroom will be privately funded.
• White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project, dismissing critics cited by The New York Times and emphasizing the ballroom’s necessity and private funding, while praising Trump and his architect’s experience.