US President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled sweeping security claims for the new White House ballroom under construction, describing it as a fortified venue capable of withstanding drone strikes, bullets, and missile attacks — and said the project was running ahead of schedule and under budget.

What Trump Said at the Site

Standing at the construction site as workers prepared to raise the final structural steel beam, Trump told reporters and more than 500 construction workers gathered for the occasion that the building would be far more than a ceremonial hall. 'It's drone proof, it's missile proof, it's bulletproof,' he said, describing a roof, walls, and windows he claimed could withstand attacks. 'This is the safest place in Washington,' he added, asserting that the reinforced roof could even support helicopters.

Scale and Design Details

Trump said the ballroom would be capable of hosting dinners for 2,000 to 2,500 guests, providing what he called extraordinary security for the President and visiting foreign leaders, including those from China and Russia. The building's ceiling, he said, would rise more than 50 feet — comparable to a five-storey structure. Outside, tall Corinthian limestone columns were being prepared, while the interior would feature marble flooring and extensive glass. A glass passage would link the new ballroom to the existing White House spaces, with the kitchen positioned below the main floor to preserve views and usable area.

Underground Facilities and Military Use

Trump also described extensive work below ground, saying the project extended five storeys beneath the building and that the military had used the opportunity to incorporate facilities it had wanted for decades. 'We did everything they wanted,' he said, without providing specifics of the underground arrangements. He also said the roof was being designed as a drone port capable of holding more than 100 drones, and described the building's steel framework as unusually heavy.

Privately Funded, No Taxpayer Money

Trump stated that private donors were paying for the project in its entirety. 'We didn't use taxpayers money to build this ballroom,' he said, describing it as a gift to the country. He signed the final structural beam alongside workers at the ceremony. Trump cited the existing White House reception space as too small for large state events, recalling an instance when he was unable to accommodate hundreds of guests during a visit by King Charles.

Timeline and Historical Context

Although Trump indicated the ballroom would eventually open, he did not announce a fixed completion date. In an exchange with reporters, he suggested it could be ready around July of the following year, depending on finishing work. Construction of the original White House began in 1792, with the first US President moving in in 1800. The complex has since undergone repeated extensions, restorations, and security upgrades as the demands of the Presidency have evolved. This latest addition represents one of the most significant structural expansions in the building's modern history.