President Trump’s military briefing on the project came as he shared architectural drawings with reporters aboard Air Force One.
WATCH: President Trump’s new ballroom demolished
A crane has been spotted near the White House as the next phase of President Trump’s $200 million, 90,000-square-foot East Wing expansion begins.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says a key part of the $400 million ballroom being built for the White House is a “massive military complex” in its basement that should have been kept secret.
Trump’s explanation came as he unveiled architectural plans for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which critics say is out of proportion to the rest of the building. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is fighting the case in federal court, where details of the military aspects of the project have been revealed.
President Trump told reporters on Air Force One on March 29: “Right now, the military is building a massive complex under Ball. That’s come to light because of some stupid lawsuit that was filed recently, but the military is building a massive complex under Ball, and it’s being built right now, and we’re doing very well.”
During the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a bunker was built under the east wing to protect the chief executive. The Presidential Emergency Operations Center has been created and updated over the years to protect the president from attacks, including potential nuclear war.
President Trump has already bulldozed the east wing, which was built in 1902 during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt and expanded in 1942 during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt.
President Trump claimed that the White House has needed a ballroom for 150 years because the East Room, the largest room, can only accommodate 125 people for a state dinner. The large event was held in a tent on the South Lawn, and Trump said foreign leaders often get their feet wet because of the wet ground.
President Trump has been touting a new 1,000-person banquet hall that will be built with private funds. He showed reporters a drawing of a ballroom flanked by Corinthian columns and featuring bulletproof and drone-proof windows.
“I think it’s going to be the best banquet hall of its kind anywhere in the world,” President Trump said.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against the ballroom, alleging it was built without the necessary approvals and permission from Congress. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon held a hearing March 17 to consider whether to temporarily block the project.
President Trump addressed the military aspects of the plan at a March 26 Cabinet meeting.
“So it’s no secret now, the military wanted it more than anyone else,” Trump said. “It was supposed to be a secret, but it became a secret because some really unpatriotic people said I don’t care, I don’t care. It’s going to be great.”
Aboard Air Force One, President Trump characterized the ballroom as a haven for military components.
“The banquet hall essentially becomes a warehouse for things that are being built under the military, including drones and everything else,” Trump said.
