President Donald Trump sharply criticized a federal judge's order halting construction of a planned White House ballroom, calling the plaintiff a "Radical Left Group of Lunatics" whose federal funding ended years ago.
In a series of posts on Truth Social shortly after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued the preliminary injunction Tuesday, Trump defended the privately funded project as under budget, ahead of schedule, and beneficial to the nation.
"The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World," he wrote.
Trump linked the lawsuit to other preservation efforts targeting his projects, including renovations at the Trump-Kennedy Center.
He questioned why the group focused on his initiatives while ignoring other issues.
"So, the White House Ballroom, and The Trump Kennedy Center ... gets sued by a group that was cut off by Government years ago, but all of the many DISASTERS in our Country are left alone to die," one post stated. "Doesn't make much sense, does it?"
Leon ruled that no existing statute grants the president authority for the large-scale project without congressional approval.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued in December 2025, arguing the demolition of the East Wing and construction of the roughly 90,000-square-foot ballroom bypassed required reviews and legislative authorization.
The judge suspended enforcement of the injunction for 14 days and excluded safety and security work. Construction on footings and below-grade work had already advanced.
Trump has described the ballroom as a major improvement funded entirely by private donors. In his posts, he also mentioned ongoing work with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to clean the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
The ruling sets up potential further litigation or a push for congressional action on the project.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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