Trump administration set to spend $900 mn on White House construction: Report

The Trump ​administration is set ​to spend at least $900 million for ​construction projects on the White House grounds, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing records. Instead of securing money directly ‌from Congress, ⁠the administration ⁠has gathered funds from other agencies and private donors ​and directed them to an account that holds a ​few million dollars for routine maintenance of the White House, the report said.

Confidential contracts and related ​planning documents indicate that the administration ⁠plans to ‌use money in that account ​for White ​House "modernization projects," the report added. Last week, ⁠a U.S. federal appeals court ordered the administration ​to stop construction on a $400 million ​ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing, dealing the Republican leader a major setback in a case testing his presidential authority.

When asked for comment on ‌the Washington Post report, a White House spokesperson reiterated that renovations to the ​East Wing are ​inextricably tied ⁠to the security of the president, the White House grounds and the security infrastructure assets. U.S. President Donald ​Trump and other individuals are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, the spokesperson told Reuters.