Trump Details Military Complex Above and Below New White House Ballroom

The structure will feature a hospital, research facilities, meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for military personnel.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters near the construction site of his proposed ballroom at the White House on May 19, 2026. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said on May 19 that when finished, his planned White House ballroom will be the “safest building ever built” and will serve both as a ceremonial venue and as a military-grade facility to help protect the nation’s capital.

Speaking to reporters about the project’s construction progress, Trump said the structure would be designed to withstand both drone and missile attacks, with “a massive drone capacity.”