President Donald Trump and the architect he personally chose to design a new White House ballroom are reportedly disagreeing over the scale of the ambitious project. The conflict centers on Trump's desire for a massive structure versus the architect's preference for a more modest approach that wouldn't overshadow the historic mansion.
Architect James McCrery II, who was hand-selected by Trump for the project, has been advocating for restraint in the ballroom's size. McCrery is concerned that the proposed 90,000-square-foot structure could dwarf the 55,000-square-foot White House itself. The architect believes such an oversized ballroom would violate a fundamental principle of architecture – that accompanying structures should never overshadow the main building.
Trump has been deeply involved in the project's details, holding regular Oval Office meetings with McCrery and micromanaging aspects ranging from construction materials to design specifics. A model of the proposed ballroom has become a permanent fixture in the Oval Office. The president's hands-on approach has led to frequent requests for changes to the architect's plans, creating tension between Trump's grand vision and professional architectural standards.
A White House official acknowledged the ongoing discussions between Trump and McCrery, describing them as "constructive dialogue" while declining to elaborate on specific disagreements. The official emphasized that "all parties are excited to execute on the president's vision on what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office." McCrery himself declined to comment on the reported disputes.
Despite the disagreements, sources indicate that McCrery wants to remain as the project's architect. He reportedly believes that if another architect takes over, the result would be an inferior building. This project represents the largest undertaking in McCrery Architects' history. The firm has previously designed notable projects including the U.S. Supreme Court's bookstore and the pedestal for Ronald Reagan's statue in the U.S. Capitol, along with various churches, libraries, and residential buildings.
Trump hired McCrery in July, approximately two weeks before publicly announcing the ballroom project. Administration officials initially promised to begin construction within two months and complete the project before the end of Trump's second term. McCrery's relationship with Trump dates back to the president's first term, when he was appointed to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which advises on design issues for construction projects in the capital area.
The ballroom project has faced significant criticism from multiple quarters. Democrats, historic preservationists, and concerned citizens have raised objections to the rapid and unexpected demolition of the East Wing. A Virginia couple even went to court attempting to halt the demolition process. Critics have particularly focused on the project's funding mechanism and lack of transparency.
Trump has stated that the ballroom, now estimated to cost $300 million, will be funded entirely through private donations. However, critics argue that the major corporations and wealthy individuals contributing to the project are attempting to gain favor with the administration. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, along with other Democratic colleagues, recently introduced legislation that would impose restrictions on such donors. "Billionaires and giant corporations with business in front of this administration are lining up to dump millions into Trump's new ballroom – and Trump is showing them where to sign on the dotted line," Warren said in a statement.
Transparency concerns have intensified as no formal public review of the ballroom proposal has been conducted. The Trump administration has refused to release crucial details such as the planned height of the new structure. Questions about what happened to an emergency bunker beneath the demolished East Wing have also gone unanswered, with the administration citing national security concerns for withholding such information.
As of this week, the ballroom plans still haven't been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, the congressionally authorized board responsible for overseeing federal construction projects in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration maintains it will submit the plans "at the appropriate time." The project's scope has already expanded significantly since its initial announcement – Trump originally said the ballroom would cost $200 million and accommodate 650 people, but recent statements indicate costs of $300 million or more for a facility that would host approximately 1,000 guests.
