President describes security-focused buildout under ballroom as construction advances ahead of schedule.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said the U.S. military is constructing a large underground facility beneath the new White House ballroom, describing the project as part of a broader security-focused expansion revealed during remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One.
Speaking Sunday night, Trump discussed the ballroom project while responding to criticism outlined in a New York Times report. He presented visual renderings of the updated design and said the construction includes a significant subterranean component being built by the military.
Trump stated that the underground structure is a “massive complex” currently under development and said its existence became public due to litigation challenging the ballroom project. He referenced a prior Truth Social statement in which he said legal action had exposed what he described as previously undisclosed involvement by the military and Secret Service in the project’s design and construction.
The ballroom is being built on the site of the former East Wing, which previously sat above the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, an underground facility originally constructed during World War II and used for emergency operations.
In his remarks, Trump said the ballroom structure is being designed with enhanced protective features, including reinforced materials and bullet-resistant glass. He added that the building is also intended to withstand emerging threats, including drone-related risks, describing it as “drone proof” in addition to being fortified against other hazards.
Trump said construction is progressing ahead of schedule and emphasized that the ballroom’s exterior design was intended to visually align with the existing White House architecture. He also disputed elements of the Times report, stating that certain described features of the building were inaccurate.
Images of the ballroom designs were shared by Reuters reporter Steve Holland in a post on social media, showing Trump holding large renderings during the flight.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also responded to the coverage, criticizing the New York Times article and defending the project. In a public statement, she said the ballroom is being constructed with private funding and described it as a long-needed addition to the White House.
The development reflects an expansion of both ceremonial and security infrastructure at the executive residence, combining architectural changes with upgraded protective capabilities tied to evolving threat considerations.
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