Trump has long complained that the White House lacked a large event space. Most functions are held in the East Room, which can accommodate about 200 people. Larger state dinners often have been held under a tent on the South Lawn. The new ballroom, by contrast, may ultimately hold 900 people, the president has indicated.

The East Wing of the White House is undergoing a more extensive renovation than initially announced during the $250 million ballroom-construction project.