Trump’s Shocking Move: Why He Just Axed His White House Ballroom Architect! What’s Next?

In a surprising shake-up in the evolving landscape of the White House expansion project, President Donald Trump has dismissed architect James McCrery as the lead designer for the new ballroom. McCrery, who was initially announced for the role in July, has been replaced by Shalom Baranes Associates, an architect firm with a solid track record in Washington D.C.

The decision to remove McCrery reportedly stems from his inability to advance the project at the pace required by Trump, as noted by the Washington Post. Additionally, McCrery and the president have reportedly clashed over plans to enlarge the proposed ballroom, indicating a divergence in vision for what is set to be a significant addition to the White House.

Despite the abrupt change in leadership, McCrery will remain involved as a consultant, offering his expertise to the new lead firm. Shalom Baranes Associates, led by architect Shalom Baranes, is considerably larger than McCrery's firm, McCrery Architects, and has successfully completed numerous commercial projects across the nation’s capital.

New Vision for the White House Ballroom

The White House spokesman, Davis Ingle, confirmed the architectural transition, expressing optimism about Baranes’ involvement. "As we begin to transition into the next stage of development on the White House ballroom, the administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trump's vision," Ingle stated. He remarked that Baranes’ extensive experience in shaping the architectural identity of Washington D.C. would be an invaluable asset to the project.

The ballroom is planned to occupy the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished in October. Spanning an impressive 90,000 square feet (approximately 8,360 square meters), it is designed to accommodate major events with a seated capacity of 650 people. The architecture will reflect a neoclassical style, aiming to blend seamlessly with the historic character of the White House.

Trump has emphasized that the funding for this ambitious project will come exclusively from private donations, with notable contributors already lined up. Among these donors are tech giants and philanthropic foundations such as Apple, the Adelson Family Foundation, Amazon, Google, Meta, Coinbase, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin. This approach marks a significant shift in how major government projects are financed, leaning heavily on private support rather than public funds.

This ballroom redevelopment is just one of several initiatives Trump has unveiled as part of his vision to leave a lasting mark on Washington D.C. Recently, he revealed plans for a classical-style triumphal arch to celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026, and proposed a redesign of the Eero Saarinen-designed Dulles Airport, reflecting his ambition to reshape key landmarks in the capital.

As the project moves forward under Shalom Baranes Associates, it remains to be seen how the adjustments in leadership will impact the timeline and execution of the plans. For now, the administration is optimistic that the combination of Baranes' experience and the insights from McCrery will result in a ballroom that meets the lofty expectations set by the Trump administration.