Hold the plaques—President Donald Trump shot down rumors on October 24, 2025, that the shiny new $300 million White House ballroom would carry his name, as Newsmax reports.
Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Asia on that Friday, Trump dismissed an ABC News report suggesting the space would be dubbed after him, while revealing little about the final name for the massive project that replaced the historic East Wing.
The buzz started earlier when, on October 23, 2025, ABC News reported that some top administration insiders were already tossing around the title "The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom" as a potential permanent label.
Adding fuel to the speculation, the White House released a donor list for the project which, according to ABC, also referred to the venue with Trump’s full name included in the title.
Yet, Trump was quick to set the record straight on October 24, 2025, declaring, “I don't have any plan to call it after myself. That was fake news. Probably going to call it the presidential ballroom or something like that.” While it’s refreshing to see him sidestep self-branding here, skeptics might wonder if the media’s rush to pin his name on every project isn’t just another tired trope to paint him as vain.
Indeed, until that Friday statement, Trump had stayed mum on any specific moniker for the ballroom, despite his well-known habit of attaching his name to various construction endeavors over the years.
Just a day prior, on October 23, 2025, when pressed by ABC about whether a name had been finalized, Trump deflected with, “I won't get into that now.” His reluctance to engage then only stoked curiosity, though it’s hardly a shock given the media’s knack for turning every detail into a circus.
The ballroom itself is no small undertaking, spanning 90,000 square feet and requiring the complete demolition of the East Wing to make way for its grandeur, a move that’s already raised eyebrows among history buffs.
Funding for this ambitious structure has surpassed expectations, with a White House official noting to ABC that $350 million has been gathered, even as construction costs hold steady at a projected $300 million.
The same official added, “[Trump] has received such positive and overwhelming support for the ballroom that he continues to receive donations.” That kind of backing speaks volumes about public trust in Trump’s vision, especially when contrasted with the progressive obsession over government waste—sometimes bold projects do resonate with everyday folks.
With a $50 million surplus in hand, Trump floated an idea on October 24, 2025, to possibly channel the extra funds into constructing a grand triumphal arch inspired by Paris’ iconic Arc de Triomphe, envisioned for a location beyond Washington’s core.
Such a proposal hints at Trump’s flair for monumental gestures, though it also begs the question of whether preserving existing heritage—like the East Wing—might sometimes outshine new symbols, a balance conservatives often wrestle with.
Addressing his own stake in the ballroom project on October 23, 2025, Trump assured ABC he’d be pitching in “millions of dollars,” adding that he’s already funneled significant personal funds into the White House due to its previous state of disrepair.
His comment about the executive residence being “a little bit abandoned” before his contributions underscores a narrative of renewal that resonates with many who feel government properties have long been neglected under prior administrations.
In an era where every Trump move gets spun by critics into self-aggrandizement, this ballroom saga—complete with record donations and historic overhaul—proves leadership can still inspire, even if the media prefers drama over substance. Let’s hope the final name, whatever it may be, reflects the dignity of the office, not the noise of the news cycle.
