President Donald Trump has refuted reports that he plans to name the new $300 million White House ballroom after himself, calling the claims “fake news” and suggesting “presidential ballroom” as a likely alternative.
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President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed claims that he intends to name the newly completed $300 million White House ballroom after himself, labeling the reports as “fake news.”
Speaking to reporters before leaving for a trip to Asia, Trump denied the suggestion, which was fueled by reports from ABC News quoting officials and a White House donor list reportedly using the name, “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.”
“I don’t have any plan to call it after myself,” Trump said. “That was fake news. Probably going to call it the presidential ballroom or something like that. We haven’t really thought about a name yet.”
The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which replaced the East Wing, cost an estimated $300 million, though the White House received $350 million in donations. Trump hinted the $50 million surplus could fund a new triumphal arch. He also noted he has donated “millions of dollars” himself, often from his presidential salary, toward White House upkeep. The project has drawn criticism for the removal of historic trees and sections of the Kennedy Garden.