Trump replaced the architect of the project for the expansion of the ballroom at the White House

Washington - American President Donald Trump has replaced the architect overseeing his project to add a ballroom to the White House. This was announced today by the president's office, according to Reuters. The Washington Post reported a week ago on a dispute between Trump and the original architect, James McCrery, who refused the president's request for a significant expansion of the planned building.

In October, Trump ordered the demolition of the east wing of the White House to make way for a ballroom. Media reported at that time that the new construction, which can accommodate about 900 people, will exceed the main building in size by more than half.

The president has repeatedly stated in the past that the White House lacks adequate space for large receptions, which is currently addressed with high-capacity tents when necessary. Trump also claimed that the hall will be the best architectural change to the White House since the Oval Office.

The Washington Post stated that Trump has had disputes with McCrery because the architect urged the president to exercise restraint for fear that the addition would overshadow the main building. The paper noted that the disagreements arose from a mismatch of building codes and Trump’s grandiose aesthetic. CBS News, citing its sources, reported that McCrery is not completely abandoning the project, as he will take on the role of consultant.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated, according to AFP and CNN, that architect Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts involved in the construction of the new section of the White House. Baranes is the founder of an important architectural firm based in Washington.

White House officials previously stated that Trump’s project will be funded by private donors, including wealthy individuals as well as large companies that have contracts with the federal government. These include companies like Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Palantir Technologies. Financial donations are managed by the National Mall Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has previously assisted in managing federal government projects, such as the restoration of the Washington Monument after it was damaged by an earthquake in 2011.

The White House was built between 1792 and 1800. Its east wing, which traditionally housed the offices and salons of the First Lady and where White House tours began, was built in 1902 and underwent a major expansion and renovation in 1942. The two-story building, where First Ladies shaped history, planned state dinners, and promoted various causes, is now a thing of the past, previously noted the AP.