Trump stated that the new ballroom, valued at 400 million dollars, is "ahead of schedule and under budget." The project involves the demolition of the East Wing, a decision the president made last October with little prior notice. Since then, underground work has been carried out to prepare the ground.
The initiative was initially announced last summer when Trump defended the need for a permanent space for official receptions, avoiding the use of tents in the gardens for high-level events.
According to White House sources, surface construction will not begin until at least April. Meanwhile, architects continue to develop the design details.
The president justified the early presentation of the sketches citing his lack of time due to his international agenda. "I do it now because it's easier. I'm very busy managing wars and other matters," he stated during the presidential flight.