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

The court emphasized an "absence of any express or implied authorization" allowing President Trump to proceed with the 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 that his administration will appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting up a legal showdown over the controversial ballroom construction.

The Trump administration argued that halting the ballroom's construction would "severely jeopardize the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House," citing that the pause would impact the underground bunker included in the project. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also filed court arguments urging the resumption of construction, referencing 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 appeals court decision and the ensuing legal developments.

Sources