A judge rejected efforts to stop the Trump administration’s $400 million White House ballroom project, allowing construction to proceed.

A federal judge denied President Trump's request to halt construction of the $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not meet the legal standard for a preliminary injunction. The project, which entails demolishing the historic East Wing, is being funded by private donations and aims to create a 90,000-square-foot venue for state events. The judge determined that the group's claims lacked a sufficient legal basis under the Administrative Procedure Act and did not adequately challenge presidential authority. While the lawsuit may be amended, above-ground construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with no final completion date specified. The United States. The Commission of Fine Arts recently approved the design.