Plans for the White House ballroom, initially announced in July last year, have seen its projected cost triple to $600m, with taxpayers reportedly set to fund at least half of this amount. President Trump had previously stated the project would cost $200m and be funded by private donations.
The ballroom, originally planned to seat 650 guests, has expanded to accommodate 1,000 and is now three times the volume of the White House. The project has also evolved into what President Trump calls "the Magnificent Ballroom and Military Complex," incorporating a six-storey military-grade bunker.
This bunker is designed to include a command and emergency operations centre, a full-scale military hospital, secure telecommunications hubs, and situation rooms. It is also equipped with specialised air-handling and filtration networks for protection against biological, chemical, and radiological threats, with President Trump stating it is "meant for if there's a nuclear attack."
Construction was halted by court rulings, but the Supreme Court recently allowed it to resume. Additionally, plans for a 250ft triumphal arch on Columbia Island were announced last October, with President Trump stating it would honour "Me."