donald trump Attention was diverted from official work for some time during white House The meeting, drawing attention to a personal project going on in the field. The moment the President stopped proceedings to highlight this ballroom’s progress, underscoring his interest in showcasing space.
Donald Trump praises ballroom after disrupting a meeting
Donald Trump interrupts a meeting with oil and gas executives at the White House on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, to inspect progress on the newly constructed ballroom. In the middle of his remarks, the President rose from his seat and stopped the discussion. “Wait a moment, I want to see my beautiful hall,” he said before walking towards the door and looking at the construction area. Independent,
As the room fell silent, Trump paused at the door and commented on the scene. He looked away from his seat for several seconds and said, “Wow! What a sight! It’s the door to the hall.” When he inspected the site, about two dozen officers remained sitting. The moment was recorded on video and later circulated on social media.
Trump was hosting senior executives from companies including Chevron, Exxon, Shell, ConocoPhillips and Halliburton. The meeting also included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “Today, I am pleased to welcome nearly two dozen of the world’s greatest and most respected oil and gas executives to the White House,” Trump told the first group.
During the interruption, Trump noted the size limitations of the White House’s existing rooms. “If we had a ballroom, we would have over a thousand people,” he said. As he stood up, he said before inspecting the site, “I’ll have to see it myself.”
Trump described the timing as unprecedented, saying, “It’s an unusual time to be watching, but I thought we might as well do it.” The White House has said the ballroom project begins in October 2025 and is privately funded. Officials reportedly said construction is ahead of schedule and will be completed before the end of Trump’s term in 2029.
Originally reported by Vriti Johar Mandatory,