Republicans question Trump ballroom funding after report on taxpayer costs

Republican lawmakers are raising concerns after a report suggested President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom could rely partly on taxpayer funding, despite earlier claims that it would be privately financed. According to a Washington Post report cited in the article, the project’s estimated cost has risen to about $600 million. Documents reviewed by the paper reportedly show that roughly $293 million would come from private donors, while about $307 million could be covered by taxpayerfunded offices and agencies, including the Secret Service, White House Military Office, and the Executive Residence. Senate Republicans including John Thune, John Curtis, Rick Scott, and Thom Tillis said the figures raised new questions about transparency, project costs, and whether public money should be used. The White House defended the project, saying it is tied to presidential security and that donors are contributing about $400 million toward the ballroom.