Supreme Court allows Trump's ballroom construction to proceed
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Construction continues on a new helipad on the South Lawn of the White House and the East Wing ballroom on Aug. 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Supreme Court on Monday permitted President Trump to proceed with plans to build the White House ballroom.
Why it matters: The 5-4 ruling is likely the final word on the project, which can now proceed with above-ground work after it was halted while the case played out in court.
Driving the news: The majority decision noted that the justices did "not pass upon the legality of the government's East Wing project."
- They concluded only that, based on the submissions before the court, "the government is likely to prevail" in showing that the National Trust for Historic Preservation "lacks standing" to challenge the project in federal court "and that the remaining stay factors favor relief."
- Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
Zoom in: In his dissenting opinion, Roberts wrote that construction was "likely unlawful."
- The court is allowing construction to proceed "not because that construction is legal," but because the Trust likely lacks standing, Roberts wrote.
Catch up quick: The decision follows an interim Supreme Court order earlier this month pausing a D.C. federal court's halt on all construction while the justices considered Trump's request to keep the project moving.
- A divided federal appeals court panel had blocked above-ground construction, upholding a U.S. District Court judge's ruling in favor of the Trust, which argued Trump needed congressional approval for the project.
What they're saying: Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was pleased the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the complex being built "without any further contingency, doubt, or threat," adding: "We are living in the Golden Age of America, and this Building will be one of the Greatest ever constructed in Washington, D.C."
- Trump called the lawsuit "baseless" and said the complex would make the country proud when it is completed in summer 2028.
The other side: National Trust for Historic Preservation CEO Brent Leggs said the group was "deeply disappointed" with the ruling and "respectfully disagree[s]" with the majority's opinion on standing.
- "It is noteworthy that the majority did not weigh in on whether the ballroom project was in fact legal," Leggs said in a statement.
- The trust said it would continue pursuing its case and urged the Supreme Court to quickly consider the government's forthcoming petition.
Follow the money: The ballroom and its underground bunker are estimated to cost at least $600 million, up from the initial $400 million price tag when the administration announced its plans.
- Trump has said private donors would fund the ballroom, but his administration has asked Congress to use taxpayer dollars for security upgrades for it and other areas of the White House complex.
- About $352 million in taxpayer dollars was redirected to the project in June from money allocated through the One Big, Beautiful Bill.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
