Trump Expands White House with $200M Ballroom, Rose Garden Changes

President Donald Trump is undertaking significant renovations to the White House, including a major revamp of the historic Rose Garden, which now features stone patios and yellow-striped parasols reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate. He has also installed two 88-foot flagpoles on the north and south lawns and decorated the Oval Office with gold-leaf trimmings, reflecting his taste for gilded decor. A centerpiece of Trump's White House makeover is the planned $200 million addition of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to accommodate up to 650 guests, addressing the East Room's limited capacity and reducing the need for outdoor tents during state events. Trump claims that the ballroom will be privately funded by himself and donors, though ethics experts have raised concerns about potential influence from contributors. Supporters argue that these upgrades modernize and enhance the White House's functionality and status, while critics view the changes as ostentatious and self-promotional, likening them to Trump's personal properties. The renovations mark one of the most extensive physical changes to the White House in decades, signaling Trump's intention to leave a lasting architectural legacy.