The White House will soon begin construction of a new $200m ballroom to be ready before Donald Trump’s term ends in early 2029.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the building will be 90,000 sq ft and will hold up to 650 seats.

It will be the latest change introduced to what’s known as “the People’s House” since the Republican president returned to office in January. It also will be the first structural change to the executive mansion itself since the addition of the Truman Balcony in 1948.

The White House is currently unable to hold large-scale events, given the 200-person capacity in the White House’s East Room. In a phone interview with