By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-white-house-wont-be-a-very-secure-place-without-1-billion-security-proposal Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says White House 'won't be a very secure place' without $1 billion security proposal Politics May 21, 2026 1:37 PM EDT President Donald Trump, facing a Senate Republican mutiny, said Thursday that he doesn't "need money for the ballroom." Watch the clip in the video player above. Asked about Senate Republicans dropping a proposed $1 billion for White House security and his ballroom project, Trump said, "I'm making a gift of the ballroom." READ MORE: Republicans expected to abandon $1B security proposal for White House and Trump's ballroom Trump says the ballroom will be paid for by himself and donors – though much about its financing remains mysterious. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump drew distinctions between the ballroom and proposed White House security improvements. He said the ballroom was being built "in conjunction" with the military and the Secret Service and that "a tremendous amount" of the project "is for national security." The president also said that the changes were "not for me because I'll be gone," even though he's repeatedly mused about remaining in office after his term. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump, facing a Senate Republican mutiny, said Thursday that he doesn't "need money for the ballroom." Watch the clip in the video player above. Asked about Senate Republicans dropping a proposed $1 billion for White House security and his ballroom project, Trump said, "I'm making a gift of the ballroom." READ MORE: Republicans expected to abandon $1B security proposal for White House and Trump's ballroom Trump says the ballroom will be paid for by himself and donors – though much about its financing remains mysterious. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump drew distinctions between the ballroom and proposed White House security improvements. He said the ballroom was being built "in conjunction" with the military and the Secret Service and that "a tremendous amount" of the project "is for national security." The president also said that the changes were "not for me because I'll be gone," even though he's repeatedly mused about remaining in office after his term. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now