US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the new ballroom being added to the White House campus will be larger than originally planned, with a capacity of 900 people.In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump said, “We’re making it a little bigger. It will be top of the line, as good as it can get anywhere in the world.”A White House statement in July had shown the ballroom would seat up to 650 people, meaning the planned capacity has grown by nearly 40 per cent.The White House has estimated the cost at $200 million. Trump reiterated that he will personally help pay for the addition, and private donors, described as “patriots” by the White House, are also expected to contribute.Trump said the ballroom will address a practical need at the crowded White House, sparing foreign leaders and other dignitaries from attending dinners and receptions in tents on the South Lawn.As a former real estate developer, Trump has taken a personal interest in the project. Work has already begun, as he noted to reporters gathered Friday on the South Lawn, “Right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House.”The new ballroom marks the largest change to the White House exterior since the East Wing was expanded under Franklin D Roosevelt in 1942. It will replace the East Wing, which has traditionally served as office space for the first lady and her staff.
