Trump administration to spend $900M on White House overhaul without Congress

The Trump administration is set to spend at least $900 million on White House construction projects, bypassing the usual Congressional approval process by funneling money from federal agencies and private donors into a maintenance account that typically holds only a few million dollars.

The projects include a new ballroom to replace the demolished East Wing, a helipad, a visitor screening center, and upgrades to nearby Lafayette Square. The total cost could reach as high as $927 million, according to confidential contracts and planning documents reviewed by the Washington Post.

How the funding works

Instead of requesting money directly from Congress, the administration has directed approximately $875 million to the White House Repair and Restoration account since Trump returned to office in January 2025. The breakdown includes roughly $500 million transferred from the Secret Service and White House Military Office, $305 million from private philanthropists, and $70 million from an unidentified source.

The Executive Residence, the small office responsible for maintaining the president's private home, is exempt from the transparency rules that apply to other federal agencies, allowing it to keep contracts confidential. Experts cited by the Post described the scale of funding as "incredibly unusual," though they confirmed the approach is technically within existing rules.

Legal challenges

The construction projects have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and courts over concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars and private donations. A federal appeals court has already ordered the administration to halt construction on the ballroom project.

The administration has defended the work as necessary for security reasons and to modernize the White House. White House spokesman Davis Ingle told the Post that President Trump is implementing "long-overdue and necessary renovations."