The Mystery Behind Trump's Lavish White House Addition

A grand new ballroom is taking shape at the White House, but who's footing the bill remains a puzzle. The project, valued at a whopping $250 million, is set to cover a vast 90, 000 square feet. President Donald Trump claims he will cover a big chunk of the cost, but the rest is coming from some deep-pocketed donors and corporations. The catch? Many of these contributors are still anonymous. This has raised some eyebrows, especially among legal experts. They worry that this could be a way for wealthy individuals and companies to buy influence. Richard Painter, who once served as the chief ethics lawyer in the Bush White House, calls it an "ethics nightmare. " He argues that access to the White House is being used as a fundraising tool, and that's not a good look. A recent dinner at the White House brought together big names from the corporate world, including executives from Blackstone, OpenAI, Microsoft, and even sports team owners like Woody Johnson of the New York Jets. A pledge form seen by CBS News hints that donors might get their names etched into the new ballroom as a thank-you. But the details are still fuzzy, and an official list of contributors hasn't been released yet.The White House insists that the ballroom is a necessary upgrade, pointing out that the current space is too small for big events like state dinners. But critics like Painter argue that the sheer size of the new ballroom could open the door to more political fundraising. He believes that the limited space in the current White House actually helps keep the "pay-to-play" game in check. The whole situation reminds some of past controversies, like when President Bill Clinton was accused of selling overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom for campaign cash. Trump himself has faced similar scrutiny for seeking corporate sponsors for events like the White House Easter Egg Roll. While no one can prove a direct quid pro quo, the concerns about influence and access remain.