Trump Says Ballroom to Include Military Hospital, Research Site

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

President Donald Trump said a military hospital and research facilities will be built on the site of his planned White House ballroom, offering more details about the scope of the sprawling, controversial project.

Trump spoke Tuesday while giving reporters an in-depth briefing on the ballroom site, explaining where air conditioning units will be located and the thickness of the glass windows. Critics have said Trump’s plans have lacked transparency and trampled over the traditional review process for major renovations of federal buildings. He has sought to defend the project by citing national-security uses for the building.

“They’re building a hospital, ...

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