President Donald Trump is reportedly considering naming the newly built $300 million White House ballroom after himself, according to senior administration officials who spoke to ABC News.
The sources said that staff have already begun referring to the venue as “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom,” adding that the title will probably remain once the project is complete.
Trump has not publicly confirmed his plans. When asked on Thursday by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce if he had chosen a name, he replied, “I won’t get into that now.”
Images released this week showed that the East Wing of the White House was demolished to make room for the 90,000-square-foot facility. A White House official told ABC News that $350 million had been raised for the project, citing strong support from donors.
The cost of construction is estimated at $300 million, though officials did not clarify how the remaining $50 million would be allocated.
When questioned about his personal contribution, Trump said he would donate “millions of dollars,” noting that he frequently directs his salary toward White House maintenance. “This house was a little bit abandoned,” he said.
The White House has described the project as part of Trump’s effort to improve and expand the presidential residence.
Read the ABC News story here.