Trump Brands White House Ballroom Foes 'Treasonists' in $450 Million Fight

3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Aug 15

Friday night, Trump accused the National Trust for Historic Preservation of being “treasonists,” saying its lawsuit against his White House ballroom exposed secret military details tied to the project.
The attack came after a federal appeals court upheld an order halting major construction, ruling that Congress — not the president — must authorize substantial changes to the White House.
Trump and the Justice Department argue the project is a national-security necessity because it includes a large bunker and roof-wide drone port, and they have asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
Costs have climbed to about $450 million from Trump’s original $200 million pledge, with the administration already drawing $300 million from the Secret Service budget for related security upgrades.
The dispute has turned a promised ballroom into a broader fight over presidential power, secrecy and taxpayer funding after Trump ordered the East Wing demolished for the project.