On a flight aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump disclosed on Monday that the U.S. military is constructing a vast underground military complex below the controversial ballroom being built in the East Wing of the White House.
"The military is working on a significant complex beneath the ballroom; this has recently come to light due to a frivolous lawsuit," Trump told reporters traveling with him.
The president described the ballroom as merely a "cover" for the military installation being established deep within the presidential compound.
Trump showcased architectural plans and elaborated on the project's features: "We have fully bulletproof glass; we have drone-proof ceilings and covers."
He also mentioned that the construction is progressing ahead of schedule: "The work is underway, and we're doing very well."
Controversy and Legal Challenges
The existence of the military component wasn't entirely unknown. During a cabinet meeting last Thursday, Trump conceded that this national security element "was meant to remain secret," but clarified, "Now it's no secret; the military wanted it more than anyone."
CNN had already reported back in January 2026 that Trump was reconstructing a secret bunker under the East Wing, but it was a legal suit that compelled the public revelation of the project.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to halt the ballroom's construction until the president secures Congressional approval, arguing that the work is proceeding without the necessary legislative consent in an area of significant historical and symbolic value.
This lawsuit remains under consideration by a federal judge after a temporary halt order was denied on February 26.
Security Measures Amid Conflict
Trump defended the security measures in light of the military conflict the United States and Israel initiated against Iran on February 28: "Unfortunately, we live in a time where that's a good thing."
The project has a direct historical precedent: the East Wing was originally constructed in the 1940s specifically to conceal the building of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, the underground bunker ordered by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The same bunker housed Vice President Dick Cheney and other senior officials during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Funding and Approval
The ballroom, designed to host between 650 and 1,000 guests, began with a budget of around $200 million, which has surged to approximately $400 million, funded through private donations from companies such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Coinbase.
The United States Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the project in February, and the National Capital Planning Commission is slated to vote on it on April 2.
Frequently Asked Questions about the White House Military Project
What is the purpose of the underground military complex?
The underground military complex is intended to enhance national security by providing a fortified facility beneath the White House ballroom.
Why is the project controversial?
The project is controversial due to its construction in a historically significant area without Congressional approval, as well as its initial secrecy.
How is the project funded?
The project is funded through private donations from major corporations such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Coinbase.