The White House defended reports that it plans to spend nearly $1 billion on controversial construction projects.
Published August 12, 2026
The Trump administration responded to the controversy surrounding the White House construction and expansion project, saying the work is “long overdue and necessary” and “inextricably tied to the safety of the President, the White House grounds, and certain security infrastructure assets.”
President Donald Trump’s administration has long argued that construction is being funded by private donors and is necessary for security reasons. But on Wednesday, The Washington Post cited documents it obtained showing the administration plans to spend nearly $1 billion on construction work, including a new grand ballroom to replace much of the White House’s east wing.
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In a statement to Al Jazeera, White House press secretary Davis Ingle cited recent security incidents, including an attempted attack on the president and events around the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, as reasons for the move.
Ingle said this work is being done in coordination with the Secret Service and the White House military branch. He also said about $400 million in funding for the new ballroom is coming from “President Trump and generous American patriots.”
Approximately $875 million has been put into the White House Repair and Remediation Account, but the account typically only has a few million dollars in it and is used for routine maintenance and upkeep. About $500 million of that money came from the Secret Service and White House military departments, which are tasked with ensuring the safety of the president, his family, and senior U.S. officials. The newspaper said another $305 million came from private donations, but the source of another $70 million was not disclosed.
The White House reconstruction project has come under intense scrutiny from lawmakers and courts over concerns that vested interests, including private companies seeking government contracts, are paying for the work in exchange for government favors. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., last week ordered a halt to work, specifically at banquet halls, saying current law requires Congressional approval. In June, advocacy group Public Citizen announced that it found that corporate donors to the project had received more than $50 billion in government contracts in the past six months.
