Trump Reportedly Ignored Ballroom Codes
Leaked orders reportedly show Trump ignored safety warnings on a White House ballroom.
What happened
The Washington Post reported that architect James McCrery II warned President Trump that his preferred White House ballroom design lacked enough emergency exits and fire-containment measures. McCrery withdrew from the project in October 2025 after repeated design clashes, and Trump moved the work to Shalom Baranes Associates. The ballroom is a major White House construction effort that included demolishing the East Wing. It was first presented as privately funded, though reports say taxpayers may face hundreds of millions of dollars in costs. Trump allegedly brushed off the objections by saying, “I am the code.” White House officials denied the dispute caused McCrery’s exit and said safety issues were addressed as designs evolved. It remains unclear whether later designs resolved them.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets cast the ballroom fight as a safety and power story, led by Trump’s alleged disregard for basic protections. Daily Kos framed the design as a potential “death trap”. MEDIAite emphasized Trump’s alleged belief that normal rules did not bind him. Raw Story mocked his hands-on fixation with size. Daily Kos also treated the project as a suspect use of public space and money.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets we track didn't cover this story.