Trump gives rare kudos to Paul after commission’s White House ballroom vote

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
April 3, 2026
3 min read

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Trump praised Sen. Rand Paul after Paul voted to approve East Wing White House ballroom designs.

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President Trump publicly praised Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday after the senator voted with the National Capital Planning Commission to approve designs for a new ballroom addition to the East Wing of the White House. Paul's support for the project marked a notable moment, given that public commendation from Trump toward the Kentucky Republican is uncommon. The NCPC vote represents a key regulatory hurdle cleared for the White House renovation plan. The East Wing ballroom project, which now has the commission's backing, can move forward in its planning and development stages. Paul's backing appears to have shifted what might have been a contentious vote within the commission into an approving outcome.

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