This is a $400 million (674 million KM) project, and for its realization, the historic East Wing of the White House was demolished last year. Judge Leon accepted the request of the nonprofit organization "National Trust for Historic Preservation." This occurred after the mentioned organization filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump exceeded his authority by demolishing the East Wing of the White House and beginning the construction of a ballroom without approval from the U.S. Congress. By the decision of Leon, who was appointed as a judge by former U.S. President George W. Bush, the said ballroom project spanning 8,360 square meters will be put on hold until congressional approval is obtained for its continuation. Trump's presidential administration immediately appealed this decision. Trump himself, via his social media platform Truth Social, attacked the organization that filed the lawsuit, calling it a radical left-wing group of lunatics. According to him, the ballroom is being built under budget, ahead of schedule, without any cost to taxpayers, and will be the most beautiful ballroom in the world. He told Judge Leon that he is wrong. He claims that congressional approval in such cases, which involve the White House as a building, has never been given. However, former President Harry Truman, who oversaw the major renovation of the White House from 1949 to 1952, sought and received congressional approval to ensure that renovation aligned with his plans. Thus, Judge Leon is asking Trump to act similarly to Truman. The White House claims that the construction of the ballroom is funded by private donors and large companies, including Meta, Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Palantir, Google, and Comcast, reports The Guardian.