In an unusual presidential move, Donald Trump made a surprise appearance on the roof of the White House’s West Wing on August 5, surveying ongoing and upcoming renovations to the historic residence. Joined by White House officials and architect James McCrery, Trump inspected the grounds and discussed plans for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom expansion on the South Lawn.
The proposed project, which Trump announced last week, is estimated to cost $200 million and will reportedly be financed through a combination of private donations and personal funds. “Anything I do is financed by me, so you don’t have to worry,” Trump told reporters, adding that the funding structure mirrors his practice of donating his presidential salary.
When asked what additional renovations might be in store, Trump remained noncommittal but quipped that his next project might be “nuclear missiles” — a comment made in jest.
The planned ballroom is just one of several aesthetic and structural changes Trump has overseen during his second term. Other updates include:
- A full renovation of the Rose Garden, which now features a stone patio.
- New gold embroidery details throughout the Oval Office.
- The installation of two prominent flagpoles on both the North and South Lawns.
This marks a rare instance of a sitting president personally inspecting White House construction projects from such a high vantage point, further underscoring Trump’s direct involvement in reshaping the presidential residence.
