What Trump’s ballroom could cost you

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: Stop me if you’ve heard this one — President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom is getting more expensive (again). What’s happening? On Monday evening, Senate Republicans released a proposed $70 billion(ish) immigration funding package — with an extra $1 billion tucked in it for an “East Wing Modernization Project.” Calling Trump’s project a “modernization” falls well short of reality — he destroyed the East Wing last year — but he is in the process of building a massive new ballroom in its place, as well as a deeply buried underground bunker, replacing the previous Presidential Emergency Operations Center located under the East Wing. The bill text specifies that none of that $1 billion may be used for “non-security elements” of the project, but it’s unclear how seriously the White House might take that limitation; previously, Trump and his lawyers have described the entire ballroom as a national security priority. What’s the context? When it was announced, Trump said that the ballroom would cost $200 million. Then it was $300 million, and then $400 million — but it was still all private money, from donors like Nvidia and Palantir. (There are also clear ethics problems around companies with government business ponying up money for a top personal priority of the president’s, but that’s a separate issue.) Based on Monday’s bill text, however, the cost appears to have skyrocketed — and much of it could be paid for with taxpayer dollars. Is this actually going to happen? TBD. Republicans hope to pass the immigration package, with additional funding for ICE and CBP as well as money for the ballroom, through the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority to pass the Senate. They have the votes to do it, if the party holds together — but as some Senate Democrats have pointed out, advancing the bill will now mean giving their explicit blessing for Trump’s deeply unpopular construction project. And with that, it’s time to log off… Here’s an extremely useful Atlantic article that I, a chronic multitasker, read with a certain degree of horror: The Secret to Success Is ‘Monotasking.’ But even — or perhaps especially — if you’re similarly afflicted, it’s a great piece, and you can read it with a gift link here. Have a great evening, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!