President Trump made a pit stop at a marble shop while in Florida on Friday, with plans to use the rock for the planned White House State Ballroom.
Mr. Trump visited Arc Stone & Tile in Lake Worth Beach, nine miles south of Mar-a-Lago, before heading to his golf course.
“President Trump is purchasing marble and onyx, at his own expense, for the White House Ballroom,” a White House official told the press pool.
The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom is being paid for by Mr. Trump’s wealthy friends. It was originally said to cost $200 million, but the president now says it could be $400 million while maintaining the project is under budget and ahead of schedule.
The original plan was to seat 650, but now the president says it will hold closer to 1,000.
The president has argued that the space is necessary to hold state dinners for distinguished guests.
So far, the only work done is the demolition of the East Wing and digging underground.
The White House has said the project will be done before the end of Mr. Trump’s term.
