Washington, D.C., August 22, 2025
News Summary
The White House has announced a suspension of public tours as construction for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom begins. This $200 million project, initiated by President Trump, is expected to create a major event space for future administrations and the public. Although the suspension is temporary, no timeline has been provided for when tours will resume, raising concerns about the impact on visitors. Lawmakers have indicated that tour requests are currently on hold, marking a significant change in public access to the historic residence.
Washington, D.C. — The White House has officially suspended public tours as construction begins on a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom project, a significant initiative started by President Donald Trump. This construction project is estimated to cost $200 million and is intended to create a large event space to serve future administrations and the American public.
A White House official confirmed that the suspension of tours is temporary, although no specific timeline for their resumption has been provided. This change in policy comes after public tours were only recently resumed in late February during the Trump administration. Citizens typically arrange tours through their Congressional representatives, and numerous lawmakers have updated their websites to indicate that tours are currently on hold.
The suspension marks the most considerable disruption to public access to the White House resulting from the construction project. Thousands of visitors generally tour the White House each year, as reported by the White House Historical Association. Senate and House offices, including those of Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Rep. Eugene Vindman of Virginia, have articulated that all tour requests have been postponed indefinitely due to ongoing renovations.
Other Congressional offices, such as those of Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, have also reported the suspension of tours starting in September, although specific reasons were not outlined. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has expressed concern that the tour suspensions will negatively impact school trips and family visits, further underlining the impact of this decision.
The White House formally announced the commencement of the ballroom construction in July, with the actual work beginning in September. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that past administrations have sought to create a similar large event space, indicating that this initiative aims to address those longstanding needs.
This ballroom expansion represents the most significant alteration to the historic structure of the White House since President Trump took office. Since his inauguration, Trump has also made various changes to the White House’s decor, including the addition of gold accents in the Oval Office and a new patio in the Rose Garden.
Despite the lack of tours, the ballroom project has drawn mixed reactions from Congress. While some are optimistic about the long-term benefits of a newly constructed space, others have voiced frustration at the immediate impact on public accessibility to one of the nation’s most iconic buildings.
Key Features of the White House Ballroom Construction:
- Project Size: 90,000 square feet
- Estimated Cost: $200 million
- Funding: President Trump and private donors
- Effect on Tours: Public tours suspended indefinitely
- Previous Tour Status: Tours resumed in February 2022
FAQ
Why are public tours of the White House suspended?
The public tours have been suspended due to the construction of a new ballroom, which started in September 2022. The suspension is described as temporary, although no set timeline for resuming tours has been provided.
When will normal public tours resume at the White House?
Currently, there is no specific timeline for the resumption of public tours at the White House. The White House official mentioned that the suspension is temporary.
How much will the ballroom construction cost?
The estimated cost for the ballroom’s construction is $200 million, which will be funded by President Trump and other private donors.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News: White House Suspends Tours
- Wikipedia: White House
- USA Today: White House Suspends Tours
- Google Search: White House construction
- Washington Post: White House Tours Canceled
- Encyclopedia Britannica: White House
- ABC News: White House Tours Pause
- Google News: Trump ballroom construction
- HuffPost: Trump White House Tours Construction
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
