Congressional Republicans are split on using taxpayer funds to build Trump's ballroom

CongressCongressional Republicans are split on using taxpayer funds to build Trump's ballroomDespite renewed GOP calls for funding the ballroom after a shooting Saturday at a dinner attended by the president, the project continues to face a steep uphill climb in Congress.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Construction cranes on the site of the proposed White House ballroom on April 17.Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 27, 2026, 9:03 PM EDTBy Sahil Kapur, Scott Wong and Frank Thorp VWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s top allies are pushing for Congress to fund a costly White House ballroom after the president was evacuated from a dinner Saturday in a sprawling hotel ballroom where a gunman breached a security checkpoint.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.But Republicans are divided on whether to make taxpayers foot the bill, with some preferring to let Trump raise money privately to construct the 90,000-square foot ballroom. And Democrats remain firmly opposed, meaning it would be a heavy lift for Republicans to pass a bill.On Monday, a trio of Republicans senators — Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama and Eric Schmitt of Missouri — announced legislation to provide $400 million to build a new ballroom on the White House grounds.“America has a problem, and we intend to fix it,” Graham told reporters. “This is not about Trump. It’s about the presidency of the United States. It’s about the person who occupies that office not being put at risk if they choose to go off campus.”Graham said the money could be partially offset with “custom fees” but that it shouldn’t be left to private money. Underneath, he said, there will be "military stuff" and a "Secret Service annex."“Private donations can be used, but I think they should be used for buying china and stuff like that,” he said.Other Republicans told NBC News on Monday that the project should be done with private funding.“I don’t know why you would do it” with taxpayer money “if it’s all funded," said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., a Trump ally and spending hawk.“We have $39 trillion in debt,” he added. “Maybe we ought to stop spending money.”Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said there’s a legal question about whether Congress has to vote to allow the White House to do major reconstruction on the White House property. But when it comes to funding, he said he prefers private over public funds.“I think that the donors should all be public, but I don’t know why, if you’ve got private donors who want to do it ... I prefer that to the taxpayer being on the hook,” he said. “But I think it’s a separate question as to whether we need to authorize it.”Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he too doesn’t favor using taxpayer funds for the new ballroom.“I am always conservative, and he already has the money,” Paul said. “And I’m not against putting in reconciliation and doing a nominal amount. I’m not for funding the whole $500 million. I think he’s already raised the money through private means.”Comcast Corp., the parent company of NBC News, is among the corporate donors for Trump’s ballroom.Asked to respond to fellow Republicans who oppose taxpayer funds, Graham said: “Just vote no. All I ask you to do is vote. I don’t care how you vote. I want a vote. I want to see: Where is America on this? I’ll bet you 90% of the people would love to have a better facility than the Hilton hotel to…

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