In the aftermath of a gunman forcing his way into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, President Donald Trump argued that the incident highlights the urgency of building a new, highly secure ballroom at the White House.
Posting on social media Sunday, Trump said the disruption could have been avoided if the proposed venue—currently tied up in legal disputes—had already been completed. He pushed for the project to move ahead quickly.
Trump and his supporters have pointed to the attack as justification for dismissing a lawsuit aimed at stopping construction. In court filings, his legal team has described the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom as a necessary security enhancement, allowing large gatherings to take place within a more controlled environment on White House grounds.
The project, estimated to cost $400 million, is expected to be funded through private donations, though details about the donors have not been fully disclosed. Plans also call for a secure bunker beneath the structure, which would replace the East Wing that was previously demolished.
However, some have questioned whether the ballroom would have made a difference in this case. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is not an official government function but a privately organized event. This year marked Trump’s first time attending it as president.
Despite those concerns, Senator Lindsey Graham said he intends to introduce legislation supporting the ballroom proposal, arguing it would improve security for both the current president and future occupants during major events like the correspondents’ dinner.