President Donald Trump appeared this morning on the rooftop of the White House briefing room to inspect the construction site where the new reception hall will be built, with an estimated cost of $200 million. The American president’s presence surprised journalists, as his visit had not been announced in advance.
However, information that Trump might appear there was circulated among journalists around 9:40 a.m. Indeed, the US president, an hour later, climbed onto the rooftop after enhanced security measures were implemented, including the placement of snipers on the roof of the West Wing.
Trump: Whatever I do, I fund it myself
It should be noted that Donald Trump was joined by the architect responsible for designing the impressive construction, James McCrery. According to Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, the project is a “luxurious and necessary addition” with “interior harmony and detailed construction.” During the inspection, Trump walked on the rooftop, observing the site where the new hall will be erected, as well as the roof of the West Wing. In fact, when asked by an Independent journalist about the reason for his visit, Trump humorously replied that he “took a walk,” adding: “The ballroom is on the other side. Another way for me to spend my money for this country.”
It is emphasized that, according to him, the project will not burden American taxpayers, claiming it will be funded entirely by himself and donors: “Whatever I do, I fund it myself,” he stated characteristically.
White House: The East Wing “will be completely rebuilt from the ground up”
It should be remembered that, according to the White House, the new hall, with an area of approximately 8,400 square meters, will be able to accommodate up to 650 people – triple the capacity of the East Room, which until today has been the largest event space within the complex.
This is why in recent years, large-scale events, such as official dinners in honor of heads of state, have been hosted in special tents in the White House South Lawn.
The new building will be erected at the site of the East Wing, which connects the Executive Residence to the Treasury Department. The wing was built in 1902 and acquired a second floor four decades later. Today it houses the offices of First Lady Melania Trump, the White House Military Office, the Visitors Office, and other administrative services, which will be temporarily relocated during construction. As Caroline Leavitt stated, the East Wing “will be completely rebuilt from the ground up” after completion of the hall.
