White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt has hit back at criticism of a controversial new ballroom project after reports claimed Trump’s expensive project has design flaws. The reaction comes as US President Donald Trump renewed scrutiny of his proposed White House ballroom, a massive expansion project estimated to cost between $300 million and $400 million. The planned structure, part of a new east wing, will span approximately 90,000 square feet and replace the original wing, which was demolished in 2025.Architects and design experts recently raised concerns about the proposal, pointing to several unusual features. These include stairs that lead nowhere, false windows and columns that can block interior views. One of the most discussed issues has been described as a staircase serving no functional purpose. According to reports, some of the stairs in the design do not connect to any entrance.Levitt rejected the criticism, taking aim at the people behind the report. In a post responding to the New York Times analysis, he dismissed the authors’ expertise and defended the project as necessary. He argued that the White House had “needed” a ballroom for decades and saw the expansion as an improvement to the historic site.The project has been promoted by Trump as a long-awaited addition that would allow the White House to host large events indoors, rather than relying on temporary tents on the South Lawn. MAGA supporters within the administration have also emphasized that the ballroom is being funded by private donors, not taxpayers.However, critics, including architects, preservationists, and historians, argue that the ballroom’s scale and design could disrupt the historic symmetry of the White House and harm its cultural significance. Some have also raised concerns about the speed of approval and the lack of traditional oversight processes.
