Trump plans White House ballroom with military-grade security

Washington, July 6 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled details of an ambitious new White House ballroom that he said would become one of the most secure and architecturally significant government buildings in the United States, arguing that the Executive Mansion has lacked a proper venue for hosting world leaders for more than a century.

Speaking at a Rose Garden luncheon, Trump said construction was already underway on the project, which he described as both a ceremonial venue and a national security asset.

“The hardest part is now completed, the base, and it’s rising very substantially,” Trump said. “When it’s done… I think it’s going to be one of the most beautiful structures in Washington.”

The President said the White House currently has no true ballroom despite repeated efforts by previous administrations to build one.

“For 150 years they’ve wanted a ballroom to be built. We don’t have a ballroom in the White House. We have a room that’s a little bit large, but it’s not a ballroom,” he said.

According to Trump, the new facility will allow the White House to host thousands of guests during state visits, replacing the limitations imposed by existing reception rooms.

“We had King Charles here. Everybody wanted to be here. We couldn’t hold anybody,” he said. “Soon you’ll be able to.”

Trump said the ballroom would also provide a safer venue for presidential inaugurations and major national ceremonies.

“We had the inauguration… it was below zero and you weren’t able, so we used the Capitol,” he said, adding that the new building would accommodate “many times” more people than existing facilities.

A significant portion of Trump’s remarks focused on the building’s security features.

He said the structure would be “bulletproof, drone proof, missile proof in many cases,” with reinforced steel walls, heavy-duty glass and a dedicated military component, including what he described as a rooftop “drone port.”

“It’s really a national security must,” Trump said. “We’re doing it in conjunction with the military and the generals… I’m giving them everything they want.”

The President also said the project was designed to blend modern security with traditional architecture.

“We’ve actually taken security and made it a beautiful thing,” he said, adding that the building would resemble historic European architecture while incorporating modern protective measures.

Trump compared the proposed ballroom with ceremonial venues abroad, saying the United States should have a space that reflects its global stature.

“I was in the Great Hall of China recently… They have a very large ballroom… we’re going to have one that tops everything. Won’t even be close,” he said.

He added that although critics had accused him of building the facility for his own presidency, construction timelines meant he would have limited opportunity to use it.

“I’ll be lucky if I get six months because it’ll be done toward the middle of ’28. So I’m really building it for other Presidents,” Trump said.

The White House has historically relied on the East Room and temporary structures for many official ceremonies and state events. While presidents have periodically considered expanding the Executive Mansion to accommodate larger diplomatic functions, no permanent state ballroom has ever been constructed on the White House grounds.

Trump’s proposal is part of a broader renovation effort that includes restoration of the Rose Garden, refurbishment of the White House exterior and the creation of what he called a “Presidential Walk of Fame.” He described the overall project as preserving the White House while adapting it to the security and ceremonial demands of modern presidencies.

–IANS

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