A federal appeals court on Friday, August 7th, 2026, ruled 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 explicit 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, announcing that his administration will appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a legal showdown over the ballroom's controversial construction.

The ruling also highlighted concerns raised by the administration that halting the ballroom's construction could jeopardize the safety of White House staff, as it would impact the development of an underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche argued in court filings that construction should resume, citing a recent attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April as underscoring the need for a secure ballroom on the 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 its implications.

Sources