• Trump reveals details about a new White House ballroom with drone capabilities and military hospital.
• The project, costing $400 million, is touted as a gift to future presidents, funded by donors.
• A request for $1 billion in security enhancements is facing opposition in Congress.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently showcased his plans for a new bunker-like ballroom at the White House, which features a military hospital and a drone base on its roof. This vast facility is intended to cover 90,000 square feet, significantly larger than the existing White House, and is part of a larger complex extending six stories underground. Trump is advocating for Congress to allocate $1 billion for security enhancements related to this project, amid concerns raised by both Democrats and some Republicans regarding its extravagant costs at a time when Americans are facing rising fuel prices and inflation linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions, notably the conflict with Iran, according to Reuters and LA Times.

During a media tour of the construction site, Trump highlighted various security features, including a roof described as “drone-proof” and capable of resisting direct attacks. The roof structure is constructed from “impenetrable steel,” with titanium fencing around the ballroom noted to be so robust that "a bulldozer cannot knock it over." Trump emphasized that the ballroom, which would host up to 1,000 guests, is necessary for secure and large events, especially following a recent apparent assassination attempt, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.

Trump also reassured the public that the ballroom's funding will come from private donations, including his contributions, asserting that it will not be financed by taxpayers. "This is a gift to the United States of America," he declared, although polling indicates that the majority of Americans oppose his decision to demolish the East Wing for this project. Furthermore, ongoing litigation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks to halt construction until the plans receive Congressional approval, as noted by LA Times and South China Morning Post.

The ballroom is touted to be completed by September 2028, shortly before the end of Trump’s current term, with the president asserting that it will primarily benefit future presidents. He emphasized the intricacies of the building’s design, which will include various military and research facilities alongside the main ballroom, stating that “everything is intertwined” within this complex structure, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.