Overview
- Reports from People say Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson are considering the White House as a wedding venue, though the not-yet-finished ballroom would need to be usable.
- Construction of the planned ballroom was temporarily halted by a federal judge last month, who signaled the president likely needs congressional approval to proceed.
- The administration’s fiscal 2026 budget seeks about $377 million for executive residence repairs and renovations, with $174 million projected for 2027, and OMB says those totals also cover security work.
- Wedding planning continues at Mar-a-Lago, including an “enchanted garden” bridal shower, and some outlets speculate the ceremony could come as early as this spring, which would likely rule out an unfinished White House space.
- Sources told People a White House ceremony could lift Don Jr.’s political profile, and recent precedent for such events includes Naomi Biden’s 2022 South Lawn wedding and Tricia Nixon’s 1971 Rose Garden ceremony.