Trump to spend $900 mn on White House infra

The Trump administration is planning to allocate over $900 million for White House infrastructure projects, according to a report by the Washington Post. Instead of seeking approval from Congress, the administration has been gathering funds from various agencies and private donors and directing them to an account designated for routine White House maintenance. These confidential contracts and planning documents suggest that the money will be used for modernization projects within the White House, the report added.

Recently, a U.S. federal appeals court has ruled against the administration, ordering a halt to construction on a $400 million ballroom within the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. This decision has posed a significant challenge for the Republican leader, testing his presidential authority in a case involving the security of the president, the White House grounds, and the security infrastructure.

When approached for comment on the Washington Post's report, a White House spokesperson clarified that the renovations to the East Wing are intrinsically linked to the security of the president, the White House premises, and the security assets. The spokesperson confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump and other individuals are contributing approximately $400 million towards the ballroom project.