{"id":2571428,"date":"2026-02-19T12:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fine-arts-panel-approves-trumps-ballroom\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T12:27:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:27:04","slug":"fine-arts-panel-approves-trumps-ballroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fine-arts-panel-approves-trumps-ballroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Fine arts panel approves Trump&#8217;s ballroom"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffine-arts-panel-approves-trumps-ballroom%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571428&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Washington Examiner reports that the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved President Donald Trump\u2019s plan to build a new White House ballroom, wiht estimates up to $400 million. The panel includes Trump appointees, and only one member abstained. The White House praised the decision, saying construction could begin above ground as soon as April and be completed before the end of trump\u2019s second term, funded entirely by private donations. Critics argue the project would harm the White House\u2019s historic integrity and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >lack sufficient public input<\/a>, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation filing a lawsuit to halt or delay it and demanding full design reviews and environmental assessments. Additional reviews by the National Capital Planning Commission and other bodies are planned, and some lawmakers have questioned whether the funding structure could evade judicial oversight. Trump has touted the project on Truth Social,describing it as a taxpayer-free gift to the United States.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Fine arts panel approves Trump&rsquo;s ballroom<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2492563\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A key panel on Thursday advanced President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> plans to build a new ballroom in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The&nbsp;U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved Trump&rsquo;s proposal for the ballroom, which is expected to cost up to $400 million. The commission is comprised of Trump appointees, including Chamberlain Harris, a longtime executive assistant.&nbsp;Every member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ny-ethics-agency-probing-its-decision-to-greenlight-cuomos-5-million-book-deal\/\" title=\"NY Ethics Agency Probing Its Decision To Greenlight Cuomo\u2019s  Million Book Deal\">commission approved<\/a> the proposal except for one abstention. <\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4463537\/trump-touts-board-peace-amid-military-tensions-iran\/\">Trump says decision on Iran will be made in the next &#8217;10 days&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4463231\/watch-live-trump-holds-board-of-peace-inaugural-meeting\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump holds Board of Peace ceremony<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4461584\/everything-to-know-2026-state-of-the-union\/\">Everything to know about the 2026 State of the Union address<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The White House commends the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts&rsquo; decision to unanimously (sic) approve President Trump&rsquo;s historic vision to build a much-needed ballroom at the White House. We look forward to seeing the completion of this project on time and under budget,&rdquo; White House spokesman Davis Ingle told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>The fine arts panel is one of at least two committees expected to review Trump&rsquo;s ballroom and other construction projects, such as the proposed &ldquo;Independence Arch&rdquo; in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington<\/a>. The National Capital Planning Commission is set to discuss the ballroom at a March 5 meeting and hold a public hearing on the project the same day it is set to vote on it.<\/p>\n<p>The White House has said it hopes to begin above-ground construction as soon as April. It is expected to be completed long before the end of&rdquo; Trump&rsquo;s second term, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefings-statements\/2025\/07\/the-white-house-announces-white-house-ballroom-construction-to-begin\/\">according to<\/a> officials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The ballroom is funded entirely by &ldquo;patriot&rdquo; donations and will provide a &ldquo;desperately needed space&rdquo; to hold a high-profile event, Trump has said. The president previously offered to build the ballroom for the Obama administration, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/17\/us\/politics\/obama-trump-oral-history.html\">according to<\/a> strategist David Axelrod, who advised former President Barack Obama. The proposal was not taken up by the White House at the time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a GIFT (ZERO taxpayer funding!) to the United States of America,&rdquo; Trump said of his ballroom dreams <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115956692372915783\">last month<\/a>. &ldquo;So that the White House would no longer be forced to use a cheap and unsafe &lsquo;tent,&rsquo; for big and important STATE EVENTS, Dinners, Meetings, Conferences, and already scheduled future INAUGURATIONS (for safety, security, and capacity purposes!), on a very wet, and subject to weather, White House lawn.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116093719071243747\">posted a digital rendering<\/a> for the neoclassical ballroom from his Truth Social account, promising the venue would &ldquo;be the Greatest Ballroom ever built.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The project has faced pushback from critics who argue it is destroying the historical integrity of the White House and lacks public input. After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/human-scum-trump-blasts-legal-troubles-in-memorial-day-post\/\" title=\"Trump slams legal issues as &#039;human scum&#039; in Memorial Day message\">president tore<\/a> down the East Wing to clear space for the ballroom, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit last December seeking to halt the development, stating it needed to undergo comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public comment, and congressional debate and ratification.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4457572\/trump-says-involved-dhs-funding-talks\/\">TRUMP SAYS HE&rsquo;LL BE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN DHS FUNDING TALKS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the lead Democrat on the House oversight committee, and Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elizabeth-warren\/\">Elizabeth Warren<\/a> (D-MA) on Wednesday suggested the ballroom&rsquo;s funding structure may have been designed to evade judicial review. Such findings could indicate corruption, the lawmakers alleged <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/oversightdemocrats.house.gov\/news\/press-releases\/ranking-member-robert-garcia-and-senator-elizabeth-warren-press-national-park-service-on-trump-ballroom-fundraising\">in a letter<\/a> to National Park Service Comptroller Jessica Bowron.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Given the seriousness of these corruption concerns and new information that has been revealed as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-biden-approves-chinese-ev-battery-factory-in-michigan-taxpayers-on-hook-for-a-national-security-risk\/\" title=\"Biden greenlights Chinese EV battery factory in Michigan, taxpayers bear national security risk.\">project moves forward<\/a>, we reiterate our request for information necessary to fulfill Congress&rsquo;s oversight responsibilities,&rdquo; they wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fine arts panel approves Trump&#8217;s White House ballroom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2571429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25295778398910.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65586,74121,3634],"class_list":["post-2571428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballroom","tag-fine-arts","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25295778398910.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571428"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571432,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571428\/revisions\/2571432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}