Fri Aug 01 01:25:35 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text, suitable for The Hindu newspaper:

**Trump Announces $200 Million Ballroom for White House**

**Washington D.C., August 1, 2025:** President Donald Trump has announced the construction of a new $200 million ballroom at the White House, slated to begin in September and be completed before the end of his term in early 2029. This marks the first structural addition to the Executive Mansion since the Truman balcony in 1948.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, July 30, 2025, President Trump emphasized the need for a larger space for official events, stating that the current East Room, with a capacity of 200, is insufficient. “They’ve wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years but there’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” he said. “I’m good at building things and we’re going to build quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful – top, top of the line.”

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be built on the site of the East Wing, which houses the First Lady’s offices. These offices will be temporarily relocated during construction, with the wing scheduled for modernization and renovation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured that “Nothing will be torn down.”

The project, designed by McCrery Architects and built by Clark Construction, aims to create a space capable of accommodating 650 seated guests. Engineering will be provided by AECOM. Renderings of the proposed ballroom have been released on the White House website.

According to Ms. Leavitt, the $200 million cost will be covered by President Trump and other donors, who weren’t immediately named.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles stated the Trump administration’s commitment to preserving the mansion’s “special history,” emphasizing President Trump’s personal interest given his background in real estate and construction.

In addition to the ballroom, President Trump mentioned plans to renovate a bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom, aiming for a more historically accurate design.

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