MAGA-aligned U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Katie Britt (R-AL) are introducing legislation to spend $400 million in taxpayer funds to build a ballroom in place of the demolished East Wing of the White House. The plan calls for federal funds to replace what President Trump has said in the past would be privately funded by donations.
Trump on the White House ballroom (February):
“We did this with no charge to the taxpayer whatsoever. This was all donations by friends of mine and people who love our country, love the White House.
Not one penny. And it’s very expensive ballroom” https://t.co/YpnJjjs0XH pic.twitter.com/pUWPB5C5gb
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 28, 2026
As seen below at a press conference, Graham said of the ballroom: “Underneath there will be a lot of military stuff. There will be a secret service annex.” Graham added that the project will be “offset with customs fees” and “private donations can be used, but I think they should be used to buy china and stuff like that.”
Graham echoed the Trump administration’s justification of ballroom expenditure by citing “national security,” saying “the ballroom itself will avoid the dilemma of having to leave the White House grounds for future presidents, and this president, to go downtown and in a place that’s less secure.”
Lindsey Graham says they are going introduce legislation that’s going to authorize 400 million dollars to be spent on building the ballroom: We pay for it by offsetting it with customs fees. The sooner we get the ballroom built, the better it is for the country. pic.twitter.com/aYS3Pi07gT
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 27, 2026
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who considers himself a fiscal conservative, supports the ballroom proposal. Paul, however, is proposing another piece of legislation. He wrote: “As Chairman of HSGAC and a member of the National Capital Planning Commission, I’ve reviewed the White House ballroom proposal and support moving it forward. Tomorrow, I’ll bring my bill to the floor that allows it to proceed without new taxpayer costs and make it easier for Congress to review major White House projects going forward.”
As Chairman of HSGAC and a member of the National Capital Planning Commission, I’ve reviewed the White House ballroom proposal and support moving it forward. Tomorrow, I’ll bring my bill to the floor that allows it to proceed without new taxpayer costs and make it easier for…
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 27, 2026
Trump critic Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of MeidasTouch Network, replied to Paul: “And where is the $400 million that you will be taking from ‘customs duties’ going now? Don’t make this a fraudulent shell game. Explain to us how that will not cost taxpayers any money OR increase the deficit by pulling money out of the treasury from sources like customs. Since you are a principled fiscal conservative, I’m sure you will make this clear.”
And where is the $400 million that you will be taking from “customs duties” going now.? Don’t make this a fraudulent shell game. Explain to us how that will not cost taxpayers any money OR increase the deficit by pulling money out of the treasury from sources like customs. Since…
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 28, 2026