Donald Trump holds artist’s renderings as he talks to reporters about his proposed White House ballroom next to the worksite on 19 May. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDonald Trump holds artist’s renderings as he talks to reporters about his proposed White House ballroom next to the worksite on 19 May. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesUS supreme court allows Trump to keep building $400m White House ballroomJustices’ 5-4 ruling permits Trump administration appeal to block lower court order halting above-ground work
A divided US supreme court has permitted Donald Trump to continue building his controversial $400m White House ballroom amid legal challenges.
In a 5-4 ruling, the justices permitted the Trump administration’s request to block a lower court order which had halted above-ground construction of the project while a lawsuit by a historic preservation group seeks to block it.
The US president, who demolished the historic East Wing of the White House last year to make way for planned ballroom, has repeatedly touted it as “a gift” to the US people.
Read moreMonday’s decision from the supreme court comes after a temporary order from Chief Justice John Roberts, which had enabled work to continue.
Roberts opted to dissent from this latest order, however, joining with the court’s three liberal-leaning justices, who described the construction as “likely unlawful”.
