NOTE: VIDEO INSIDE THE ARTICLE.
Trump Jokes About Keeping Reporters ‘Uncomfortable’ While Unveiling Plans for Grand White House Ballroom
President Donald Trump delivered a lighthearted but pointed exchange with reporters during a White House press conference on Monday, August 12, turning down a request to expand the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room while simultaneously promoting a much larger construction project — a new White House ballroom.
The moment came shortly after Trump announced his vision to build a grand, permanent ballroom on White House grounds, a plan he says will elevate the way state dinners and major events are hosted.
During the press conference, a reporter asked the president:
“You are building a big, beautiful ballroom… could we build a big, beautiful briefing room, add more seats?”
Several other reporters in the room voiced their agreement, prompting the president to shake his head with a smile.
“I don’t want to do that,” Trump replied, grinning. “I don’t want you to be comfortable. I don’t want to do that.”
The answer drew laughter from the press corps, including journalists who are often at odds with the president. Standing beside Trump during the exchange were Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, both of whom laughed at the remark.
Trump repeated his refusal with playful emphasis: “No, I don’t want to make life comfortable,” underscoring that he had no intention of renovating the cramped press facility to make it more accommodating for reporters.
Praise for the Press Secretary
At one point during the briefing, Trump called White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to the podium, referring to her as his “superstar” and asking the room, “Is she doing a good job by the way?”
Leavitt, addressing the crowded conditions in the room, joked that the packed press briefings were a reason the ballroom could be useful — a comment that got a few chuckles from those present.
The Grand Ballroom Vision
Trump first revealed his ballroom proposal during an appearance on the Pod Force One podcast with journalist Miranda Devine. He explained that the idea stemmed from his experiences in Europe, where many official residences feature large and ornate ballrooms capable of hosting hundreds of guests.
“In the White House, as you know, for 150 years, they’ve wanted to have a ballroom. They don’t have a ballroom,” Trump said. “They have meeting rooms. They have those beautiful… beautiful meeting rooms. But they’ve never had a ballroom.”
According to the president, the new ballroom would serve as a permanent venue for hosting 600 to 700 guests at state dinners, eliminating the need for temporary outdoor arrangements. He argued that the absence of such a facility is a glaring gap in the White House’s ability to host high-level diplomatic events.
“If the President of China or France, or the U.K., or [EU President] Ursula von der Leyen comes to town, you give them a big state dinner,” Trump explained. “We don’t have a room like that. At the White House, they have to use a tent.”
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Problems With the Current Setup
Trump said the current practice of using large outdoor tents on the White House lawn is not only inelegant but also impractical.
“If it’s raining, it’s soaking wet, soggy — the area is a very low area, and all the water rushes to it. And it’s a disaster,” he said.
By contrast, the proposed ballroom would provide a weatherproof, luxurious space, reflecting the formality and prestige of state events. It would also be suitable for hosting formal receptions, major holiday gatherings, and large-scale ceremonial occasions.
“They need that at the White House,” Trump continued. “They can’t do the kinds of things they like to do in their big room. Which is a beautiful reception room, but not as a ballroom.”
Timeline for Construction
Construction on the White House ballroom is scheduled to begin in September 2025. While no specific completion date has been announced, the project is expected to be a high-profile addition to the presidential residence, likely drawing attention for both its architectural significance and its symbolic value.
The ballroom would be the first major structural addition to the White House in decades, reflecting Trump’s penchant for grand and visually striking venues.
The Briefing Room Stays the Same
Despite the excitement surrounding the ballroom plans, Trump’s comments on the press briefing room made it clear that no expansion or renovation of that space is in the works. His playful jab at the reporters suggested that he sees no urgency in making their work environment more comfortable.
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, located in the West Wing, has been the primary venue for presidential press conferences since 1969. Known for its relatively small size and tightly packed seating, it often feels crowded during high-profile briefings — a fact Trump’s press corps has long noted.
Still, the president’s remarks indicated that the cramped conditions would remain unchanged, keeping the press room as it has been for decades.
In typical Trump fashion, the moment mixed humor with a subtle assertion of control — declining to expand the reporters’ space while championing a grand project designed to impress foreign leaders and dignitaries.
Whether the ballroom becomes a lasting legacy or a point of controversy will depend on how the public and future administrations receive the addition. For now, one thing is certain: reporters covering Trump at the White House should not expect extra elbow room anytime soon.
