Trump says it's 'too late' to stop White House ballroom construction

[mahatmakanejeeves]

23. Trump says 'Top Secret fact' exposed due to White House ballroom lawsuit

"Now look what you've done. It's all your fault."

Trump says 'Top Secret fact' exposed due to White House ballroom lawsuit

Venugopal Ramaswamy
USA TODAY
Updated Jan. 25, 2026, 2:58 p.m. ET

President Donald Trump said in a Jan. 25 Truth Social post that a preservationist group’s lawsuit against the construction of the $400 million ballroom had exposed a "Top Secret fact" about the involvement of the U.S. military and Secret Service on several aspects of the project, including design.

In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against Trump and several federal agencies aimed at halting the construction, saying it had not gone through a review process, had not completed an adequate environmental assessment or sought congressional authorization.

Trump disputed the group’s allegations, saying that "a President has never needed permission to change or enhance, because of the special grounds on which it sits, no matter how big (and important!), that enhancement may be."

"Additionally, in this instance, it is being done with the design, consent, and approval of the highest levels of the United States Military and Secret Service. The mere bringing of this ridiculous lawsuit has already, unfortunately, exposed this heretofore Top Secret fact," he wrote.

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