A federal appeals court ruled on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that the Trump White House lacks the authority to unilaterally construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the former East Wing. The $400 million project was found to require congressional approval, with judges emphasizing that Congress holds "full constitutional control over federal property and the funding of its maintenance and development."

The court noted an "absence of any express or implied authorization" granting President Trump the ability to proceed with the ballroom's construction. The judges stated, "We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for."

President Trump quickly responded, announcing plans to appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a legal showdown over the controversial project.

The administration argued that halting the ballroom's construction "severely jeopardizes the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House," citing that stopping work would impact the underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also filed court documents urging the resumption of construction, referencing a recent attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April as underscoring the need for a secure ballroom on White House grounds.

Arden Farhi, managing editor for CBS News' Washington bureau, who has covered multiple presidential campaigns and administrations, reported on the court's decision and the ensuing developments.

Sources