Price Tag for Trump’s White House Renovations Reportedly Hits Eye-Popping Total — and Rising

Allison Robbert/AP Photo

Fast-moving demolition and seemingly never-ending construction projects at the White House have come with a massive price tag, according to The Washington Post.

So far, President Donald Trump’s laundry list of work at The People’s House is set to cost at least $927 million, according to the outlet, which reviewed confidential contracts and planning documents to produce that figure.

Taxpayers are on the hook for most of the costs, though Trump has said private donations would foot some or all of the bill for various projects.

Trump has moved quickly, and without the typically required Congressional approvals, on his desired projects, including the paving over of the Rose Garden; the demolition of the historic East Wing to make way for a controversial ballroom; construction of a new helipad and the renovation of the North Portico, for which workers placed a tarp emblazoned with the image of columns themselves.

Documents reviewed by The Post included work to upgrade nearby Lafayette Square; the helipad, a new visitor screening center and other projects, with the East Wing work clocking in at $600 million alone. The ballroom was being funded with $400 million in private donations, a White House spokesman told the outlet.

All told, the costs so far have soared past $900 million, with Trump’s Executive Branch finding the funds in part by transferring cash appropriated for other uses, including the Secret Service, according to the report.

“President Trump continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify the People’s House as we celebrate our great Nation’s 250th anniversary of independence,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told The Post. “Thanks to the Builder-in-Chief, the White House will be properly glorified and remain in excellent condition for generations to come.”

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