President Donald Trump is facing a growing rift with the architect he personally selected to design a new White House ballroom, as disagreements over the project's expanding scope have led to tensions between the 79-year-old president and designer James McCrery II. Reports indicate that McCrery has stepped back from active involvement in the project while maintaining an advisory role, citing fundamental disagreements about the ballroom's scale and impact on the historic White House structure.
The conflict came to public attention when Trump posted a cryptic message on Truth Social over the weekend, writing: "As long as we are going to do it, we are going to do it RIGHT." According to multiple sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, the disagreements between Trump and McCrery have intensified as the president's vision for the ballroom has grown significantly beyond the original plans.
What started as a proposal for a 500-seat ballroom has undergone dramatic expansion under Trump's direction. The project first grew to accommodate 999 people, then expanded again to hold 1,350 guests, with Trump now expressing interest in making the space large enough to potentially host a presidential inauguration. This escalating vision has put the architect at odds with the president over fundamental design principles.
McCrery reportedly reminded Trump of what he called "the golden rule of architecture" – that any addition should enhance rather than overwhelm the existing building it's meant to complement. However, this principle appears to have been disregarded as Trump's plans have expanded far beyond the original scope, leading to significant structural changes to the White House itself.
The project's impact on the White House has been far more extensive than initially promised. Despite Trump's original claims that the new ballroom would not interfere with the existing White House structure, construction crews have completely torn down the entire East Wing to accommodate the president's growing vision. This demolition contradicts earlier assurances about preserving the historic building's integrity.
Construction challenges have emerged as Trump's ambitious timeline has led to what sources describe as rushed planning. Reports indicate the hasty development has resulted in various design flaws, including improperly aligned windows and a staircase that leads nowhere. These mistakes highlight the tensions between Trump's desire for rapid completion and the careful planning typically required for such significant architectural projects.
Workers on the project have reportedly been instructed to disregard standard zoning, permitting, and building code requirements, with officials citing the White House's federal property status as justification for bypassing normal regulatory oversight. This approach has raised concerns among architectural professionals about proper construction standards and safety protocols.
A White House official attempted to downplay the severity of the disagreements, characterizing them as "constructive dialogue" typical of any major building project. "As with any building, there is a conversation between the principal and the architect," said the official, who requested anonymity. The official added that "all parties are excited to execute on the president's vision on what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office."
Trump has set an ambitious completion target of 2029 for the ballroom project, though significant regulatory hurdles remain. The plans have not yet been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving designs for projects in the nation's capital. White House officials maintain that the plans will be presented to the commission "at the appropriate time," though no specific timeline has been provided.
The financial aspect of the project has also drawn attention, with Trump repeatedly stating that the $300 million ballroom will be "paid for 100% by me and some friends of mine." The White House has released a list of 37 donors contributing to the project, including cryptocurrency billionaires, charitable organizations, sports team owners, powerful financiers, technology and tobacco companies, media corporations, longtime Republican supporters, and several of Trump's neighbors from Palm Beach, Florida. This diverse donor list reflects the significant private funding required to complete the ambitious project without using taxpayer money.
