President Trump called the National Trust for Historic Preservation "TREASONISTS" on Truth Social after a federal judge ordered work stopped on a new White House ballroom for lacking congressional approval. Trump accused the nonprofit of revealing military secrets and defended the ballroom as essential to presidential security. The proposed 90,000-square-foot project — planned on the former East Wing site — has become a $600 million controversy amid conflicting claims about private versus taxpayer funding.
Trump Labels Preservation Group 'TREASONISTS' After Court Halts White House Ballroom Project
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
President Donald Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social late Friday, accusing the National Trust for Historic Preservation of being "TREASONISTS" after the organization successfully sued to halt construction of a new ballroom adjacent to the White House.
Background
Last week a federal judge granted the National Trust's request to stop work on the ballroom, ruling that the project had begun without the required congressional approval. The National Trust, a privately funded nonprofit that says it has "led the movement to save America's historic places" for more than 75 years, brought the challenge.
What Trump Said
In his post, Trump accused the Trust of revealing classified military details and said the facility is "vital to our National Security" and the safety of current and future presidents, their families, staff and Cabinet members. He claimed military and Secret Service leaders had briefed the group on detailed plans and that parts of the building — which he described as a single integrated structure — are top secret. Trump also repeated an unverified claim that the project includes a roof "DronePort."
"These are the TREASONISTS that brought the suit against the Military Complex. They revealed Top Military Secrets!"
Leadership, Standing And Criticism
Trump criticized the then-president of the National Trust, Carol Quillen, saying she lacked a background in historic preservation and announcing her immediate replacement — a claim reflecting the president's anger at the organization. He also attacked a local woman who walked near the site and said she had improperly influenced the litigation, calling her a serial plaintiff; court filings indicate the National Trust brought the suit.
Project Size, Funding And Controversy
The ballroom was planned for the footprint of the former East Wing and was designed at roughly 90,000 square feet — significantly larger than the White House's roughly 55,000 square feet. Architect James McCrery II reportedly warned that the new structure would dwarf the White House and was dismissed from the project in December after clashing with the president.
Trump has repeatedly said the ballroom would be privately funded. However, reporting and invoices reviewed by The Washington Post show the project's estimated cost has risen to about $600 million and that taxpayers appear to be bearing much of the expense, contradicting the administration's claims of purely private funding.
Legal And Public Reaction
The court's order to halt construction underscores ongoing legal and political disputes over the scope of executive renovations to the White House complex, congressional oversight, and the role of preservation groups in protecting historic sites. Supporters of the National Trust say the organization is acting to uphold legal and preservation standards; critics argue the lawsuit impedes security-related upgrades.
Bottom line: The dispute ties together questions of presidential authority over federal property, historic preservation, national security claims, and project funding — and it may return to court as the parties contest the judge's decision.
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