The Donald Trump administration has reportedly redirected $352 million in federal funds that were originally designated for the Secret Service to the White House ballroom project. President Donald Trump had previously said the construction would be financed through private donations. The reported funding shift comes after Congress declined to provide $1 billion for the project.
Donald Trump’s ballroom reportedly gets funding of $352M from federal funds
President Donald Trump and his administration have reportedly redirected $352 million in federal funds designated for the Secret Service. The funds were reportedly directed toward the president’s controversial White House ballroom project (via The Guardian).
The president had previously said that the construction would be financed through private donations. The ballroom project has previously been the subject of public discussion and controversy.
Reports state that the funds were drawn from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was Trump’s signature tax legislation, passed last summer on Republican-only votes. The law states that the money should only be spent on Secret Service personnel and training facilities. It also states that the funds may be used for other costs related to the Secret Service.
According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) database, $340.8 million in funding was placed into an account labeled “Procurement, Construction, and Improvements” on June 12. Another account, labeled “Operations and Support,” was also approved the same day.
Shortly before this move, Congress declined to provide $1 billion in funding for the “East Wing Modernization Project.” The administration argued that the development project was directly tied to the president’s security.
“The East Wing Modernization Project is inextricably tied to the security of the president, the White House grounds, and certain security infrastructure assets,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle previously said. “President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400m, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for presidents for generations to come.”
Ingle also argued that recent attacks demonstrated why the White House needed the East Wing project. However, senators remained unconvinced by the administration’s argument.
