How Trump's White House ballroom plan has doubled in size and cost over a year

Article excerpt

A White House ballroom renovation that started at $50 million has ballooned to $100 million in a year, according to BBC Verify's investigation. The project, one of the largest modifications to the presidential residence in decades, has grown significantly in both scope and price tag since initial planning. Trump administration officials have justified the expansion by citing unforeseen structural issues and expanded design ambitions. The investigation traces how costs and scale escalated through planning documents and budget revisions. Construction timelines have also shifted repeatedly, pushing completion dates further back. The ballroom overhaul represents a substantial commitment of public resources to updating the 1960s-era space.