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Donald Trump and James C. McCrery II, the architect constructing the White House ballroom, disagreed over the size of the project, The Washington Post reported
“As with any building, there is a conversation between the principal and the architect,” a White House official tells PEOPLE
Plans for the construction of the multi-million dollar project were first announced in July, calling it a “much-needed and exquisite addition”
Donald Trump and the architect constructing the White House ballroom disagreed over the size of the project, according to a new report from The Washington Post.
In an article published on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the outlet spoke with several anonymous sources who claimed that the president, 79, and James C. McCrery II do not see eye to eye when it comes to how large the new space should be.
The Post reported that McCrery, 60, informed Trump that the 90,000 square foot addition would be much larger than the existing 55,000 square feet of the White House structure, violating a general architectural rule of not constructing anything that would overshadow the main building.
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The East Wing of the White House was demolished on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC
In response, a White House official tells PEOPLE, “McCrery has been and continues to be a consultant on the Ballroom project. As with any building, there is a conversation between the principal and the architect.”
“All parties are excited to execute on the President’s vision on what will be the greatest addition to the [White House] since the Oval Office,” they add.
McCrery previously called the project a “beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House.”
The building of the ballroom was first announced in a July press release. At the time, it was called a “much-needed and exquisite addition” that would rest on top of the now-demolished East Wing.
White House officials previously said Trump wanted the larger space because guests had to use a “large and unsightly tent” at events that were held outside the White House building.
“The White House Ballroom will be substantially separated from the main building of the White House, but at the same time, its theme and architectural heritage will be almost identical,” the release said.
Trump’s plan for the multi-million-dollar undertaking includes a sprawling great room and elaborate gold details.
The ballroom will also feature gold chandeliers, an ornate coffered ceiling, Greek Corinthian columns and tall, arched windows on each wall, in addition to room for a number of round tables and gold chairs.
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President Donald Trump on November 10, 2025 in Washington, DC
During a Nov. 4 appearance on the Today show, former first lady Michelle Obama and host Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of former president George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, discussed the project.
After agreeing that “there’s no guidebook,” Obama, 61, told Hager, 44, “There’s barely a staff. Now we don’t have a building.”
Hager then joked, “I know. R.I.P. the East Wing.”
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Obama spoke more about the project during an appearance on the Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast.
“It’s not about me, it’s about us and our traditions and what they stand for. I think in my body, I felt confusion because I’m like, ‘Well, who are we? What do we value and who decides that?’ ” she said.
Trump has made changes to historical elements of the residence throughout his two terms, including the Rose Garden, the Cabinet Room, the Oval Office and more.Â
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