A federal judge has not halted construction of President Trump's planned White House ballroom, despite social media rumors claiming otherwise. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon has yet to rule on the legal challenge brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues the project proceeded without congressional approval. The White House maintains demolition work continues while legal proceedings unfold.

The $300-400 million privately funded project began with demolition of the East Wing in October 2025. Trump announced the ballroom would be built with donations from billionaires, tech companies, and sports team owners. A December 2025 lawsuit challenged the administration's authority to proceed without congressional authorization or proper environmental assessments. Leon previously denied a temporary restraining order, allowing work to continue while the case proceeds.

As of February 2026, the project remains in the demolition phase, with cranes visible at the site. Trump has stated the project is "on budget and ahead of schedule" through TruthSocial posts. The administration argues previous presidents didn't require congressional approval for White House renovations. Leon expressed skepticism about the administration's legal authority but has not issued a preliminary injunction to halt construction, with a decision expected in coming weeks.