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Claims that "every" president wanted a White House ballroom are an exaggeration. While presidents have always overseen renovations to suit their needs, specific historical evidence for a long-standing or universal presidential desire for a ballroom is scarce. For example, the East Wing, which is being altered to accommodate the new ballroom, was added in 1942 and houses the first lady's offices and the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. Instead, the demand for more event space has been driven by the need for larger quarters for state functions, which has led past administrations to use temporary structures.

Historical context for the need for larger event space The inadequacy of the White House's event space has been a known issue for well over a century, which explains why the current ballroom project was put forward as necessary. Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877): Complaints about limited space first appeared in White House logs during the Grant administration. Post-Civil War state dinners often exceeded 500 guests, overwhelming the East Room, which could only accommodate about 200 people. The 20th century: Instead of adding a permanent ballroom, other presidents chose different additions and expansions to the White House to address various needs. Theodore Roosevelt (1902): The first West Wing was built to remove offices from the family residence. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1942): The East Wing was added, which included a bomb shelter and a small movie theater. Harry S. Truman (1948–1952): The interior was entirely rebuilt with steel framing.

Donald Trump and the push for a ballroom Unlike previous presidents, Donald Trump has a documented and long-standing desire for a White House ballroom. Obama administration: As a private citizen, Trump offered to personally fund a new ballroom in 2016 but was rejected. Rationale for the project: Trump has frequently complained about hosting state dinners in temporary tents on the South Lawn, which he described as "not that good," "shitty little tents," and "not a pretty sight". The current construction project In 2025, the Trump administration began a privately funded, $250 million project to demolish part of the East Wing to build the new ballroom. Project specifics: The new ballroom is planned to be 90,000 square feet and accommodate up to 999 guests. Renderings show a lavish, gilded design that resembles the decor of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Historical significance: This is a major renovation that fundamentally changes the White House complex. It differs significantly from the scale and purpose of past presidential additions, which were more about modernization or restoration.

President Donald Trump has claimed that "every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House for 150 years," but this assertion is not supported by historical evidence. The need for more event space at the White House has been a long-standing issue, but there is no proof that a formal ballroom was a specific goal for past presidents. The former presidents who experienced limitations with event capacity include: Ulysses S. Grant: Complaints about limited event space first appeared during his administration in the 1870s, when post-Civil War dinners often overwhelmed the East Room. Theodore Roosevelt: When he significantly renovated and expanded the White House in 1902, he focused on adding office space by building the West Wing. He did not build a ballroom. His renovations, which removed Victorian decor, were controversial at the time. Franklin D. Roosevelt: While he added the East Wing in 1942, it was mainly to house additional staff and a presidential bunker during World War II, not for a ballroom. Harry S. Truman: During his 1948–1952 reconstruction of the White House, he added a bowling alley and a balcony, but not a ballroom. Addressing the need for event space Past administrations addressed the limited event capacity in other ways, like the following: Temporary structures: Many presidents, including Barack Obama, have used large, climate-controlled tents on the South Lawn for large state dinners and other events. This is the very practice Trump has criticized, calling the tents "shitty". Alternative venues: Some large official events have been held at other locations in Washington, D.C., rather than the White House.