The White House has argued that funding related to security ‒ including a hospital underneath the ballroom and a rooftop drone center ‒ is separate from the ballroom project.
In response to the explosive report, the White House said Trump remains committed to spend $400 million in private funds on the ballroom. "President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for Presidents for generations to come," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said.
Ingle pointed to the June arrests of five suspects in what the FBI alleged was a plot to attack Trump's Ultimate Fighting Championship event as an example of why a larger, more secure ballroom is needed.
"The events over the weekend and the foiled attempted attack on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House proves exactly why the East Wing Modernization Project is severely needed for large scale events, which include drone proof structures and drone ports among other critical security enhancements," Ingle said.