President Donald Trump announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he will immediately appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court following a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to halt construction on the proposed White House ballroom. The appeals court upheld a lower court's order pausing above-ground work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom project, which replaces the demolished East Wing.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the ruling as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful." He argued that the Circuit Court’s decision, which he said was "totally wrong on the vital subject of standing," jeopardizes the safety and welfare of current and future White House staff, Presidents of the United States and their families, visiting Heads of State, dignitaries, and all Americans visiting the Executive Mansion.

Trump emphasized that the ballroom is a "gift to America," funded by patriots, designed to accommodate up to 2,000 guests, and intended to ensure the security of leaders for generations. He also accused the court of ignoring that the project is ahead of schedule and under budget, calling it a "Gift from President Trump and Great Patriots of the United States of America."

The appeals court's 136-page ruling stated that the authority to approve such a "massive ballroom" lies with Congress, not the executive branch. The White House has noted that no previous president has unilaterally demolished substantial portions of the White House using privately collected funds, as Trump has done with this project.

The White House ballroom and helipad extension were under construction in Washington, D.C., as of August 5th, 2026, with design renderings showing a $400 million presidential ballroom.

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