White House Blasted for Reportedly Using Donated Foreign Steel for Ballroom

The White House has come under fire over the latest development in the much-discussed and publicized construction of a new ballroom. On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that the White House had secured tens of millions of dollars of donated foreign steel for the project. As President Donald Trump has championed and promised to strengthen the U.S. steel industry, the project's reported use of foreign steel has raised questions and sparked mockery among the president's critics.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside normal business hours. Why It Matters The planned 90,000-square-foot state ballroom has prompted public outrage since the White House announced its construction in July 2025, later demolishing the East Wing to make way for it. While Trump initially said the project would cost $200 million, estimates have since increased to $400 million, and the private donations funding the project have recently come under scrutiny for potentially breaking the law.

The nonpartisan democracy group Campaign Legal Center has written to Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, urging her office to investigate whether lobbyists violated federal lobbying law by not disclosing donations to the ballroom and other projects overseen by the president. The report of the White House's use of foreign steel brings further scrutiny to the project and fuels concerns about the president's priorities. What To Know The New York Times reported that foreign steel had been donated to the project, citing two people familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Times reported that ArcelorMittal, a firm in Luxembourg and the second-largest steelmaker in the world, is providing steel for the structure of the ballroom project, citing the two sources. The steel is said to have been produced in Europe, where the majority of ArcelorMittal's production is concentrated. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the news on X, writing, "

Make America Luxembourg Again?" State Senator Grant Hauschild, a Minnesota Democrat, wrote on X: ”

Foreign steel in the White House? Are you kidding? We've got Iron Range mines shut down & 100's @steelworkers laid off. Instead, they're outsourcing one of the most iconic American buildings overseas! American steel built this country, it should build the White House too." The actor Henry Winkler, known for playing Fonzie in Happy Days, commented on the platform, "

America First

." Eric Feigl-Ding, a public health scientist, wrote on X: ”

Dear MAGA—'America first' was always a scam. Trump touted bringing American steel back. That was a complete lie."

The ballroom is one of several major renovations to take place at the White House during Trump's second term. Others include the redesign of the previously minimalist Oval Office and the paving of the White House Rose Garden. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on February 10: "

When completed, it will be the finest ballroom ever built anywhere in the world, one that has been sought by presidents for over 150 years—and now they are getting THE BEST! Because of its unprecedented structural, safety, and security features, it will also be used for future Presidential Inaugurations." David Frum, a writer at The Atlantic, wrote on X of the foreign steel report: ”

Foreign bribes are OK. Only foreign trade is bad." Former White House lawyer Sean Cooksey criticized the article, writing on X: "

Maybe the lamest gotcha story I've ever seen." What Happens Next In March, a federal judge blocked Trump from moving ahead with the ballroom's construction. Judge Richard Leon said the president had not received approval from lawmakers to undertake the project, which is required under federal law. The Trump administration has said it will appeal the judge's decision.