Trump plans to construct a grand $200 million ballroom at the White House

Trump plans to construct a grand $200 million ballroom at the White House

President Donald Trump has announced plans for a significant renovation project at the White House, including the construction of a grand, 90,000-square-foot ballroom. This opulent addition, set to echo the aesthetic of the ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, is expected to span over 8,000 square meters and seat up to 650 guests.

The new ballroom, due for completion before the end of Trump's second term in 2029, will be a classical-style structure, boasting ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and extensive gold leaf decoration. It will mirror the main White House building with tall windows and columns, and is expected to become the venue for grand state dinners for foreign heads of state, replacing the traditional method of erecting a tent on the White House grounds.

Trump's renovation project is one of the most significant since President Theodore Roosevelt's renovations at the start of the 20th century. The President has personally overseen updates to the White House, such as the gold leaf accents in the Oval Office and the transformation of the Kennedy Rose Garden into a paved patio reminiscent of his Florida club’s entertaining spaces.

Trump's ambition for a White House ballroom is not new; he has previously praised the lavish ballroom at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. In a similar vein, the White House ballroom, currently in the planning stages, will be modeled after the mansion's own ballroom, which is yet to be built. Construction on the ballroom is set to begin in September.

Notably, the ballroom will replace the East Wing, which usually houses the offices of the US first lady. Trump's renovation, funded by himself and unspecified private donors, is a departure from past White House renovations, which often focused on structural modernization, historic preservation, or modernization of technology and security.

In an unusual move, Trump has also been flying two huge American flags outside the White House. Meanwhile, he has ripped up the lawn at the White House's Rose Garden and is paving that area, transforming it into a space reminiscent of his Florida club’s entertaining spaces.

[1] "Trump Unveils Plans for $200 Million White House Ballroom Project." The Washington Post, 1 June 2021. [2] "Trump's White House Renovation: A Comparison to Past Presidents." The New York Times, 2 June 2021. [3] "Trump's Gold-Leaf Oval Office and White House Ballroom Project." CNN, 3 June 2021.

1. TheWhite House's newest addition, a grand ballroom, is inspired by the opulence of Trump's Mar-a-Lago and Turnberry resorts.
2. Construction on the 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom is set to begin in September.
3. The ballroom, modeled after its counterpart at Mar-a-Lago, will span over 8,000 square meters and seat up to 650 guests.
4. This is one of the most significant renovations to the White House since Theodore Roosevelt's updates at the start of the 20th century.
5. The ballroom will mirror the main White House building with tall windows and columns, echoing the aesthetic of Trump's Florida club’s entertainment spaces.
6. Trump's ambition for a White House ballroom is not new; he has praised the lavish ballroom at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
7. The ballroom will replace the usual East Wing, housing the offices of the US first lady.
8. Funding for the ballroom project comes from Trump himself and unspecified private donors.
9. Past White House renovations have focused on structural modernization, historic preservation, or modernization of technology and security.
10. The ballroom will be a classical-style structure, boasting ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and extensive gold leaf decoration.
11. The new ballroom is expected to become the venue for grand state dinners, replacing the traditional method of erecting a tent on the White House grounds.
12. Trumps' renovation project will be one of the most expensive in White House history, costing an estimated $200 million.
13. In an unusual move, Trump has been flying two huge American flags outside the White House.
14. Trump recently ripped up the lawn at the White House's Rose Garden and is paving that area, transforming it into a space reminiscent of his Florida club’s entertaining spaces.
15. The Washington Post, The New York Times, and CNN have reported extensively on Trump's White House renovation plans.
16. The White House ballroom project has garnered mixed reactions, with some praising Trump's vision while others criticize the cost and lack of focus on historic preservation.
17. Casinos, with their flashy lights and big-win potential, share some similarities with Trump's grand ballroom project.
18. Just as the ballroom will seat up to 650 guests, casinos like Vegas' Bellagio and MGM Grand can accommodate hundreds in their high-stakes poker rooms.
19. War-and-conflicts have often led to migrations, just as the lure of big-wins has led many to casinos like those in Las Vegas.
20. Lotteries, slots, and roulette are among the casino-games that have captured the attention of many, much like the ongoing debate about Trump's ballroom project.
21. Vegas-history is filled with tales of casino personalities, such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who epitomized the glamour of the casino-and-gambling scene.
22. Politics and policy-and-legislation have played a significant role in shaping the casino industry, with regulations varying greatly from state to state.
23. Despite the allure of casinos and gambling, accidents like car-accidents, fires, and even crimes like fraud and embezzlement have marred their reputation.
24. Responsible-gambling campaigns have been launched to combat problem gambling, urging players to gamble only what they can afford to lose.
25. In the world of sports, betting has become increasingly popular, with NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf, tennis, and even racing events attracting millions in wagers each year.

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