Trump's White House remodel tab keeps growing
· Axios
The East Wing is gone, a new helipad is spreading across the lawn, and scaffolding wraps the White House's front columns, but the price tags for President Trump's renovations are far less obvious.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.org for more information.
The big picture: The muddled mix of funding streams — whether from private donors, the president himself or taxpayers — has fueled ethical questions about who's footing the ever-rising bill for the HGTV-reminiscent White House redesign.
The latest: Senate Democrats urged the Government Accountability Office to audit the ballroom project's scope and cost Wednesday.
- One tally, reported exclusively by The Washington Post this week, says the president's construction projects, including upgrades to Lafayette Square and other renovations, could cost at least $927 million.
- The lawmakers cited a lack of transparency and "limited congressional oversight, meaningful public input, and adherence to established federal processes."
What they're saying: White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement that Trump "continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations," calling him the "Builder-in-Chief."
- As the administration has argued in court, Ingle said the East Wing project is "inextricably tied" to security concerns, pointing to an alleged plot to attack this summer's UFC fight on White House grounds.
- A senior administration official said the ballroom would be built with private donations, not tax dollars. Reported donors include Google, Apple, Amazon and Lockheed Martin, among several other household names.
Zoom in: While critics demand more specifics on the costs and sources of funding, one thing is clear: 18 months in, Trump's construction itch hasn't eased, and the price tag keeps on growing with it.
Zoom out: While the East Wing's demolition might be the most head-turning change, an unclear cascade of cash is being poured into other projects, as well, including:
- A helipad for the new Marine One model, with Lockheed Martin covering up to $6 million.
- The Rose Garden re-do, which reportedly cost around $2 million, covered by private donations.
- A granite pathway to the Oval Office that Trump said he was paying for — though an investigation by The Atlantic said otherwise.
Zoom in: The stalled ballroom project's price tag has risen rapidly after it was initially pitched at roughly $200 million last year.
- Trump then told reporters earlier this year the cost could be between $300 million or $400 million, "depending on finishes," like "very expensive marble."
- He defended the price hike in May, writing on Truth Social the estimate doubled because "it is approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal."
- The Washington Post, citing a summary compiled by the contractor behind the project, reported the estimated cost was closer to $600 million in June — and that taxpayer dollars were being funneled to the project.
Catch up quick: Above-ground construction of the ballroom has been blocked by judges, who say Trump needs congressional approval to proceed.
Friction point: The administration also pitched lawmakers on a $1 billion security plan for the renovation project, Axios' Alex Isenstadt previously reported, including $220 million for "hardening" security and $180 million for a new visitor screening facility.
- Republicans didn't bite — and the funding has continued to be a source of scrutiny on the Hill.
- In June, Democrats raised questions about why One Big Beautiful Bill funds for the Secret Service were directed to White House security.
Worth noting: Trump's smaller redecorating touches are also indicative of his approach to his temporary home.
- He's erected a wall of plaques honoring some former presidents — and mocking others. The Oval Office has gradually grown more gilded and the artwork has changed.
- Plus, he's not stopping on Penn. Ave.
Go deeper: Haberman: 70% of Trump's brain on monuments