President Trump on Wednesday defended the cost and scope of a proposed ballroom expansion at the White House, responding to reports questioning the project's price tag.

Trump stated that the ballroom project would cost "something less than $400 million" and emphasized that the construction is proceeding ahead of schedule and under budget. The president described the planned space as significantly larger than initially proposed, noting it would be double the original size.

According to Trump, the 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be located in the East Wing of the White House. He characterized the facility as "magnificent, safe and secure" and said it would be of "far higher quality" than the original plans called for.

The president has previously argued that the White House requires a larger ballroom facility to accommodate events for future administrations. The expansion would represent a significant addition to the executive mansion's event hosting capabilities.

Trump's comments came in response to reports that had raised questions about potential cost increases associated with the ballroom project. The president pushed back against characterizations of cost overruns, maintaining that the project remains on track financially despite the expanded scope.