President Donald Trump has replaced the architect behind his massive $300 million White House ballroom after clashing over the size and speed of the historic project, unleashing both criticism and praise as construction reshapes the nation’s most iconic residence.
Trump removed architect James McCrery II and his firm from leadership in late October, according to officials familiar with the decision. Sources say Trump pushed for an even larger ballroom and grew frustrated over slow progress.
The new building is planned at 90,000 square feet, making it larger than the White House’s main residential wing. Trump reportedly insisted on maximizing size, repeatedly clashing with McCrery over design choices and deadlines.
Sources say McCrery’s team struggled to keep pace with demands and lacked the manpower needed for such rapid expansion. One insider claimed the firm “was too small to keep up with the president’s timetable.”
The White House insists McCrery remains on the project in a consulting role, but the shift effectively removes him from command. Officials call it a “passing of the baton” as the project enters a new phase.
Trump appointed Shalom Baranes to take over. Baranes is a veteran government architect known for redesigning major Washington buildings, including the Treasury and the headquarters of the General Services Administration.
The decision sparked immediate pushback. Critics argue that Trump is demolishing priceless history to feed his ambitious redesign. His expanded ballroom required fully tearing down the East Wing, which housed the first lady’s offices and dates back to 1942.
Trump originally claimed the East Wing would not be affected. He later admitted that “to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.”
Big tech donors, including Amazon and Google, are funding the project. Opponents say that raises serious questions about corporate influence and whether major companies should help build a presidential venue, per the Daily Mail.
Supporters say the renovation is long overdue, pointing out that Trump’s ballroom marks the most significant White House transformation since Harry Truman’s full reconstruction in 1948.
Trump’s allies argue the expansion will elevate America’s global presence, hosting summits and state events at a scale no foreign nation can match. “This will be the grandest ballroom in the world,” one Trump supporter said.
Critics warn the move is wasteful and fueled by ego. They argue the project prioritizes luxury over transparency and has sparked unnecessary destruction of historic space.
Despite the blowback, construction continues rapidly. Crews have erected cranes, cleared debris and prepared foundations for the towering addition.
Baranes’ appointment appears to indicate Trump has no intention of slowing down. The White House praised him as an “accomplished architect” whose work has shaped the capital for decades.
Trump’s ballroom expansion now stands as one of the largest architectural controversies in modern presidential history. Supporters call it bold. Opponents call it reckless. But regardless of opinion, the building continues to rise — and Trump is getting exactly what he wants.
