Appeals court halts Trump’s unfinished ballroom project, paving way for Supreme Court showdown

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted construction on President Donald Trump's proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, ruling that the substantial project requires congressional approval. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in a 2-1 decision issued on August 7, 2026, sided with a preservation group that argued the $400 million undertaking lacked the necessary legal authorization. Judges emphasized that the President serves as a "temporary tenant" of the White House, not its owner, and that Congress retains full constitutional authority over federal property and its development.

The court's decision, which temporarily pauses above-ground work, comes after the East Wing of the White House was demolished in October 2025 to make way for the new ballroom, a project that began construction in September 2025. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had initiated the lawsuit, contending that the administration bypassed required reviews and that only Congress could approve such significant alterations to the historic property. A lower court judge had previously ordered a halt to above-ground construction in an April ruling.

President Trump has declared his intent to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes legal battle over executive authority and federal property. The appeals court has stayed its decision for 14 days to allow the administration time to file its appeal. The administration has asserted that the ballroom, intended to provide a larger venue for state events, includes crucial security enhancements and is partially funded by private donations.