The key facts

  • Trump called the ballroom “the safest place in Washington”
  • A drone port with capacity for more than 100 drones is planned
  • The ballroom is intended for dinners and high-level diplomatic meetings

Public appearance after the midterm elections

US President Donald Trump on November 4 made his first public appearance at the White House since the midterm elections held the day before, and presented to journalists the specifications of the new ballroom being built at the residence. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.

Stated security specifications

According to Trump, the ballroom's ceilings exceed 50 feet (more than 15 meters) and, in his words, are protected against drones, missiles and bullets. The floor will be especially thick, and the space beneath the structure is specially designed to enhance security. “This is the safest place in Washington”, the president said, adding that the ballroom will provide a secure setting for dinners and high-level diplomatic meetings.

Drone port and plans to host world leaders

Trump also revealed plans to build a drone port in the building: according to him, it will hold “as many drones as you need,” and at most more than 100 drones of the largest size. He mentioned that world leaders, including PRC Chairman Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be able to attend events in the ballroom — Gazeta.Ru cites this as a hint at a possible meeting with Putin in the new ballroom, although no specific arrangements were discussed. The president predicted that the completed building would become “one of the greatest” in Washington and “a very important space in the future life of the country.”