Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that U.S.taxpayers are expected to cover a significant portion of the costs associated with President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom project.

The statement came after reports revealed that the total estimated cost of the ballroom has reached approximately $600 million, substantially higher than public expectations.Trump had previously stated that the project would be financed entirely through private donations and would not require taxpayer money.

According to contractor documents cited in reporting by The Washington Post, an estimate prepared by Clark Construction in March placed the project's cost at $600 million.

The documents indicate that roughly $307 million could come from public sources, including funding from the Secret Service, the White House Military Office, and the Executive Residence.The remaining costs would be covered by Trump and private donors.During a Capitol press conference, Thune did not dispute the reported figures.

Instead, he emphasized that additional security requirements associated with any construction project at the White House would likely require government funding.

He argued that protecting the president, administration officials, and White House operations necessitates investments that extend beyond privately raised funds.

The issue has generated criticism from some lawmakers, including Senator Susan Collins, who argued that Trump should honor his earlier commitment to finance the ballroom exclusively through private donations.Collins supported a Senate measure that would require congressional approval before either public or private funds could be used for the project.

Independent contracting experts also questioned whether the costs can be clearly separated between private and public funding, noting that security and construction components are closely intertwined within a single structure.The debate highlights ongoing concerns about transparency, federal spending, and oversight of major White House construction projects.