Trump's Ballroom: $1B Taxpayer Cost

Trump claimed the ballroom would be “free of charge.” It could cost taxpayers $1 billion. This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: Stop me if you’ve heard this one — President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom is getting more expensive (again). What’s happening? On Monday evening, Senate Republicans released a proposed $70 billion(ish) immigration funding package — with an extra $1 billion tucked in it for an “East Wing Modernization Project.” Calling Trump’s project a “modernization” falls well short of reality — he destroyed the East Wing last year — but he is in the process of building a massive new ballroom in its place, as well as a deeply buried underground bunker, replacing the previous Presidential Emergency Operations Center located under the East Wing. The bill text specifies that none of that $1 billion may be used for “non-security elements” of the project, but it’s unclear how seriously the White House might take that limitation; previously, Trump and his lawyers have described the entire ballroom as a national security priority. What Trump wants out of the Correspondents’ Dinner shooting What’s the context? When it was announced, Trump said that the ballroom would cost $200 million. A decades-long plan to abolish the Electoral College may finally pay off Every airline is Spirit Airlines now Ukraine’s fight against Russia is going better than you might think Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword These tropical forests are critically important. Why is this religious sect cutting them down? This is the title for the native ad Part-time president, full-time developer. Trump’s plan to evade an Iran deadline, briefly explained. Once more unto the gerrymandering breach. Trump’s revenge ploys are getting kookier. A ballroom and Jimmy Kimmel’s firing. The latest on Iran as negotiators head back to Pakistan. This is the title for the native ad