Trump Revives White House Ballroom Push After Shooting at Correspondents' Dinner

Speaking hours after being evacuated from the Washington Hilton, Trump said the attack underscored the need for a permanent, highly secure venue within the White House grounds.

"What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement... have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE," he said on Truth Social.

He added that the shooting "would never have unfolded" in such a facility and described the proposed venue as having "every highest level security feature there is."

Trump has been advocating the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds, a project currently facing legal challenges. He said those obstacles should now be removed.

"It cannot be built fast enough!" he said, adding that the venue would be located "inside the gates of the most secure building in the World."

The proposal has been under scrutiny for months, with courts reviewing whether proper approvals were followed. According to Fox News, Trump has called for legal challenges to be "dropped, immediately," arguing the project is necessary for national security.

The annual White House Correspondents' Dinner has traditionally been held at the Washington Hilton due to space limitations at the White House. The event draws journalists, senior officials and celebrities, making it one of the most prominent gatherings in the US political calendar.

Trump criticised the current venue, describing it as less secure compared to a purpose-built facility. "It's not a particularly secure building," he said during a press conference following the incident.

The President praised the response of security personnel, crediting the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies with preventing a more serious outcome.

"You saw the very best... you saw law enforcement do exactly what they're supposed to do," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during the briefing.

Trump said he initially wanted to continue the event despite the shooting but was advised to evacuate. "I fought like hell to stay," he said, adding that the dinner would be rescheduled.

The ballroom proposal has long been debated in Washington, with supporters citing enhanced security and critics raising concerns about cost and the impact on the historic White House complex.

According to The Washington Post, Trump and his allies have increasingly used the shooting to strengthen their case for the project, arguing that large-scale events require more controlled environments.

Saturday's incident has brought renewed urgency to that debate, as policymakers weigh how best to secure gatherings involving top leadership.

The White House has hosted major events for decades, but it has never had a dedicated ballroom of this scale. The proposed facility would represent a significant expansion of the complex.

- IANS