Donald Trump has stated that former presidents neglected the White House, asserting that his administration's renovation efforts have improved the iconic residence to a condition superior to when it was first built in 1792.
Trump shared his assessment on Sunday via Truth Social, accompanied by images of a renovated column, claiming the White House was in "very bad condition, both inside and out" and calling it a "dump." He stated that past presidents "did not take care of it" and that he enjoyed renovating it in his "spare time."
He commended the Department of the Interior and contractors for their work, declaring they were doing a "fantastic job." Trump claimed the building's "exterior 'skin' was practically falling off!" and that it is now "in better shape than when built in 1792," expressing it was an "Honor to have the privilege of saving this Great Structure."
Trump's administration has undertaken several renovation projects, including the demolition of the East Wing to construct a large ballroom. This project began in September 2025 and is anticipated to conclude before the end of his potential second term. The planned ballroom is designed to accommodate between 900 and 999 people, an increase from initial estimates. While initially projected to cost $200 million, contracts and planning documents suggest the expense has risen to approximately $600 million.
Trump has described the ballroom as his "gift to the United States of America," stating it is "massively expensive, but free of charge to the American taxpayer – on budget, and ahead of schedule!" He has consistently maintained that the project is funded by himself and donors, not government funds. However, a Republican proposal for $1 billion for Secret Service security updates, which included funding for the ballroom, was removed from a broader package by the Senate's parliamentarian.
The ballroom's design includes side walls reinforced with "impenetrable steel" and "high grade bulletproof glass" approximately four inches thick. Its roof will be flat, and it will not have air conditioning, with all equipment housed inside the building for safety reasons. Trump described the roof as a "barrier" and a "shield" and indicated it will include a drone port.
Beneath the ballroom, a six-story military complex is under construction, intended to replace the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. Other renovation efforts include replacing the pavers leading to the West Wing with a black granite walkway, revamping the North Portico entrance, and paving over the Rose Garden last year. Work on the North Portico began in June and is slated for completion before an upcoming visit by China's President Xi.