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

The judges noted an "absence of any express or implied authorization" granting President Trump the ability to proceed with the construction. They 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 responded swiftly, declaring that his administration will appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a legal showdown over the controversial ballroom project.

The Trump administration argued that halting the construction jeopardizes the safety of White House staff, as it would delay the underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also filed court documents urging the resumption of construction, citing a recent attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April as evidence of 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 ruling and its implications.

Sources