Key facts
- President Trump criticized a lawsuit challenging the White House ballroom project.
- Trump described the legal challenge as 'highly damaging to our country.'
- He asserted the project is currently under budget.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the legal effort.
- A federal judge previously blocked above-ground construction.
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized a lawsuit challenging his administration's plan to construct a $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. Trump described the legal challenge as 'highly damaging to our country' in a late-night statement. He also asserted that the project is currently under budget, despite reports indicating that its cost has doubled since its inception. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the legal effort, arguing that the project lacks congressional authorization and will cause irreparable damage to a historic site. A federal judge had previously blocked above-ground construction, citing a lack of presidential authority, though an appeals court is now set to hear arguments on the matter.