Trump Slams Ballroom Project, Vows to Fix ‘Filthy’ Reflecting Pool

Former President Donald Trump strongly criticized a federal judge's decision to halt construction of the White House Ballroom. The court order, issued on Tuesday, requires that construction be suspended until congressional approval is obtained. The lawsuit was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which triggered Trump's anger, who expressed his displeasure on Truth Social. Judge Richard Leon's decision is based on Trump's failure to obtain congressional approval for construction work on a federal complex, a fact that has generated controversy and public debate.

Trump defended the Ballroom project, stating that it is under budget and ahead of its execution schedule. In his Truth Social post, the former president described the project as one of the most magnificent buildings of its kind in the world. The project, which began last fall with the demolition of the East Wing, will span 90,000 square feet and have a capacity for nearly 1,000 guests, according to the former president. Trump emphasized that the project is funded by private donors, which, he says, makes it even more valuable.

Judge Richard Leon, in his ruling, emphasized Trump's responsibility as custodian of the White House for future generations, but not as its owner. The judge noted that Trump did not obtain permission from Congress before starting construction, nor did he submit to the input phases of the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, as required. This omission was a key factor in the decision to halt the project, highlighting the importance of following legal procedures and obtaining the necessary approvals before carrying out any construction work.

In addition to the Ballroom controversy, Trump announced that he and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum are working on repairing the 'absolutely filthy' reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. In his post, Trump criticized the current administration, suggesting that President Biden does not know what it means to 'clean' or perform proper maintenance. The reflecting pool is just the latest beautification project that Trump has undertaken in Washington, adding to the Ballroom, the Kennedy Center, and other ongoing projects.

Trump criticized the National Trust for Historic Preservation, suggesting that they should focus on the ongoing renovations at the Federal Reserve. In his social media posts, Trump argued that the National Trust should direct its attention to the renovation of the Federal Reserve, rather than interfering with the Ballroom project. Trump also mentioned that the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a group of 'radical left lunatics', stopped receiving funding from Congress in 2005. The former president emphasized that his project does not use taxpayer funds and that it will be a first-class building.