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Trump White House ballroom construction project

One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.

19 DAYS
86 FACTS
9 EVENTS
12 SOURCES
FIRST ENTRY AUG 19
SEP 06 · Day 19

Opinion: Trump's ballroom win highlights need for serious judicial nominees

Trump appointed Emil Bove as a U.S. Circuit Judge.

A D.C. Circuit panel stayed Leon's injunction regarding sanctions against Albanese, and the sanctions remain in effect.

Alison Hoagland is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and filed the lawsuit against the ballroom construction.

AUG 28 · Day 10

Marine One suffers communication failure; White House construction played part in Trump helicopter incident

On Thursday, August 28, President Trump was inside Marine One when the helicopter lost communication with air traffic control and another helicopter in the squad had to relay messages.

At one point, Marine One and the passenger jet were separated by 0.82 nautical mile laterally and 700ft vertically.

The back-up communication failed on 4 August when Marine One was also unable to contact controllers via a helicopter facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

AUG 22 · Day 4

Donald Trump Reasserts White House Ballroom Construction Is Free for Taxpayers

Trump has repeatedly said the project will cost $400 million.

The Washington Post reported the White House knew the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced.

The White House has said in recent court filings that 65% of the project has already been completed.

“the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced,”
AUG 21 · Day 3

US Chief Justice allows construction on White House ballroom project to proceed

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary order allowing construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project to continue while the Supreme Court considers an emergency request from the administration.

According to the Trump administration, 65% of the work on the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom has been completed.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon previously ordered work on the project to proceed only belowground on bunkers and military installations.

“When they say proceed, I think that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing,”
DONALD TRUMP verbatim
AUG 21 · Day 3

Supreme Court Permits Construction of White House Ballroom to Proceed

The Trump administration has stated that 65 percent of the work on the ballroom project has been completed.

Demolition of the White House East Wing was initiated to make way for the ballroom project.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay temporarily allowing above-ground construction of the White House ballroom project to proceed.

“You know, that started off as a ballroom. And before we started work, the military came to see me. And they say, 'Sir, we have an opportunity to do something incredible here. And we've been trying to do it for 100 years, but we've never had an opportunity like that,'”
DONALD TRUMP verbatim
AUG 21 · Day 3

Supreme Court Temporarily Permits Construction on Trump Ballroom Project

The Trump administration stated in court filings that the $400 million privately funded project was 65% complete as of August 14.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation initiated the legal challenge against the demolition of the East Wing and construction of the ballroom.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a lower court ruling on August 7, establishing a Friday deadline to halt construction absent Supreme Court intervention.

“The Military/Ballroom Complex being built on the hallowed grounds of the White House, which is so vital for National Security, will be THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND!”
DONALD TRUMP verbatim
AUG 20 · Day 2

Trump shows off White House renovations and new helipad

Trump is slated to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24.

Trump said Sikorsky would pay for the helipad, which he estimated at about $5 or $6 million.

Trump announced the helipad in July from the Oval Office.

“It’s all been top-soiled. In other words, we put top soil, brand new earth on top. Very, you know, very – a lot of good ingredients in that earth for grass. If you’re grass, you’re very happy,”
DONALD TRUMP verbatim
AUG 19 · Day 1

Trump calls ballroom a 'military complex' in bid to complete White House construction

“On the Trust’s logic, anyone with plans to see the most famous building in the world -- from a tourist in Alaska planning to visit D.C., to a consultant with regular flights into DCA [Washington Reagan National Airport], or even a virtual sightseer watching a video tour online -- has a spectator’s veto to challenge the Project,”
JOHN SAUER verbatim
AUG 19 · Day 1

Trump calls White House ballroom a 'military complex'

The Supreme Court justices are expected to issue a decision on a stay by the end of the week when the injunction is set to take effect.

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to stay a court order halting most above-ground construction of a new White House ballroom.

Federal law gives Congress control over federal property including the White House grounds while allowing presidents to undertake care, maintenance, repair, alteration, refurbishment, and improvement of the Executive Residence.

“On the Trust’s logic, anyone with plans to see the most famous building in the world -- from a tourist in Alaska planning to visit D.C., to a consultant with regular flights into DCA [Washington Reagan National Airport], or even a virtual sightseer watching a video tour online -- has a spectator’s veto to challenge the Project,”
JOHN SAUER verbatim
Quote copied with attribution