(AURN News) — A Washington Post exclusive reports that President Donald Trump’s push for a new White House ballroom has escalated into a dispute with his own architect. Trump is seeking a 90,000-square-foot expansion — nearly doubling the size of the residence — even as architect James McCreary warns the design violates basic preservation principles.
Construction activity is already underway. Cranes, reinforced concrete and heavy machinery have appeared on the White House grounds, despite the project not yet being submitted to the Federal Planning Commission, which must review major additions.
Questions are also swirling around the funding. According to the report, the ballroom is being financed by 37 wealthy donors and corporations with federal business interests, including Amazon and Lockheed Martin. Trump has recently suggested the project may cost more than $300 million, with seating capacity expanding from the originally proposed 650 guests to 1,000.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
