Trump’s White House ballroom moves one step closer to approval after fast-track vote
Trump’s White House Ballroom Progresses with Expedited Vote
President Donald Trump’s proposal for a new ballroom in the East Wing of the White House gained momentum on Thursday after the Commission of Fine Arts expedited its approval process. The decision marks a significant milestone in the project, which aims to transform the space into a state-of-the-art venue. The committee, a federal agency tasked with evaluating design concepts for monuments, memorials, coins, and federal structures, unanimously endorsed the plan, fast-tracking the final design without requiring further public input.
The vote occurred just one hour after the commission welcomed two new members: Chamberlain Harris, Trump’s executive assistant, and Pamela Hughes Patenaude, a former deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development from the first Trump administration. Harris, a 26-year-old with no prior experience in the arts, joined the panel, making the meeting the first to be led entirely by appointees loyal to the president. This shift reflects Trump’s strategy to reshape the commission since last year, following the removal of its previous members in October as demolition of the East Wing began.
Public Concerns Highlighted Despite Approval
Despite the overwhelming support from the commission, the chairman noted that the panel received over 2,000 public comments, with more than 99% expressing opposition. The feedback, which was submitted virtually via Zoom, centered on criticisms of “illegal demolition,” “inappropriate scale,” and the lack of transparency surrounding the project. The final design, presented by architect Shalom Baranes, includes animated and 3-D models of the renovated East Wing, offering the public its first detailed glimpse of the proposed changes.
“The White House is the greatest house in the world. We want this to be the greatest ballroom in the world,” said newly installed commissioner Harris, endorsing the plan.
The commission’s accelerated approval now sets the stage for the National Capital Planning Commission to review the project. This second body, also composed of Trump loyalists, is scheduled to meet on March 5 to determine the final fate of the renovation. With both commissions aligned, the president’s vision for a redesigned East Wing appears increasingly on track.