A presidential first? Trump's surprising spot to oversee White House renovations
- President Trump surveyed White House grounds, including the site of a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom expansion.
- Trump stated he would personally finance the $200 million ballroom project through private donations.
- Recent White House renovations include a Rose Garden overhaul, new Oval Office embroidery, and the addition of flagpoles.
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump made a surprise trip to a place that might be a first for a president: the roof of the White House.
Trump took a stroll atop the West Wing's colonnade on Aug. 5, fielding questions from reporters as he scoped out projects he's undertaking on the property, including a future 90,000-square-foot ballroom expansion for the south lawn announced last week.
"Taking a little walk," Trump shouted down to reporters when asked what he was doing up there. He then referenced plans for the $200 million ballroom, which he has said he will pay for himself and through private donations.
Trump was joined by White House officials and James McCrery, the architect hired for the ballroom expansion.
Trump did not say when asked whether he was considering additional renovations.
"Anything I do is financed by me, so you don't have to worry. It's contributed ‒ just like my salary is contributed. But nobody ever mentions that," Trump said.
When a reporter asked the president what he's planning to build next, Trump jokingly responded, "Nuclear missiles."
In addition to the ballroom, Trump has pushed through several other cosmetic changes at the White House so far during his second term, including a recently completed renovation of the Rose Garden, turning it into a stone patio; new gold embroidery throughout the Oval Office; and two soaring flag poles on the north and south lawns.
Reach Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.
(This story was update to refresh headlines.)