Featured Image Credit: Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Cost of Living, Donald Trump, Money, Politics, US News
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Madison Burgess
Topics: Cost of Living, Donald Trump, Money, Politics, US News
The price of Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom has risen once again.
For those who need a reminder, the US President, 79, first announced his grand plans for a multimillion-dollar ballroom for the presidential residence back in July of this year.
At the time, the Republican leader described it as a ‘much-needed' and ‘exquisite’ addition, boasting that it would be 90,000 total square feet and have the capacity to seat 650 people.
The Trump administration announced on social media: "We're getting an expansion! Beginning in September, construction will begin on a brand-new 90,000 square ft ballroom that will be enjoyed for generations to come."
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The post continued: "For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people."
The right-wing leader claimed that the White House is 'currently unable to host major functions honouring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance'.
However, the ballroom has caused quite the controversy since it was announced, with the main reason being how much it's going to cost - not to mention the historic East Wing being completely demolished.
Although Trump has claimed it's being funded by himself and a slew of donors, the prices still have continued to climb, which has sparked backlash due to Americans enduring an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with many relying on food stamps.
He initially predicted the ballroom would cost $200 million, which later climbed to $300million, and now has skyrocketed up to $400million - double the initial price.
As per The Independent, Trump said on Tuesday (16 December) evening: "We got sued. We're donating a $400 million ballroom, and we got sued not to build it.
"We're donating a building that's approximately $400 million. I think I'll do it for less, but it's 400…I should do it for less. I will do it for less, but just in case, I say 400 otherwise, if I go $3 over, the press will say it costs more."
He added: "I build under budget and ahead of schedule."
The latest cost rise comes at a time when Americans' health care premiums are set to skyrocket in the coming weeks.
Social media users have taken to Twitter to react to the news, with one person sarcastically writing: "Bad news: You won’t have healthcare. Also, there is no good news."
A second agreed: "Ballroom budget doubled in 5 months? Even inflation is like: damn, pace yourself. Take it easy."
Others penned: "Waste of money - this is not needed" and "F*** that ballroom. People are struggling and he is building that monstrosity."
Meanwhile, someone else theorised: "It will be $450 million next month. He’s been told how much it will cost and he’s decided to incrementally increase the price until he gets to what he was quoted, which he knew would be to hard to stomach for the American people, hence the drip feed increases."
A representative for the White House said: “President Trump is making the White House beautiful and giving it the glory it deserves at no cost to the taxpayer – something everyone should celebrate. Only people with a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome would find a problem with that.”