President Donald Trump is requesting $1 billion in taxpayer funding to secure his White House ballroom with militarized defenses. During a May 19 tour, Trump described a hardened rooftop designed to be drone-proof against potential strikes and mentioned plans for a rooftop drone base operated by the US military that would supposedly protect all of Washington.

The security enhancements would separate from the $400 million construction cost funded by private donors including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and other major tech companies. Trump's request comes amid the demolition of the White House mansion's East Wing to make way for the new ballroom project.

The Pentagon issued a "Guide for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure" in January 2026 recommending physical barriers against drone threats. Trump's proposal aligns with a shift toward passive physical protection methods, including hardened roofs, concrete walls, and overhead netting to counter potential drone surveillance or attacks.