Taxpayers to pay for half of Trump’s $600 million ballroom

• Donald Trump publicly stated his White House ballroom project would cost $400 million and be funded entirely by private donations, claiming no taxpayer money would be used.
• However, internal cost estimates from the contractor, Clark Construction, indicated the project was expected to reach $600 million, with at least half projected to come from public funds.
• Records consistently showed that significant contributions from taxpayer-funded sources, including the White House Military Office and the Secret Service, were anticipated for the project.
• Despite earlier assurances, Trump later conceded that taxpayers would cover some security-related expenses for the ballroom.
• Legislation to provide $400 million in public funding for the ballroom was defeated by Democrats and some Republicans, who cited Trump's commitment to private financing.

IN FULL

Trump’s ballroom now set to cost $600 million - with half coming from taxpayers, new report reveals