Images of excavators tearing down parts of the White House have made news headlines worldwide.

Its current occupant, Republican President Donald Trump, is having a new ballroom built on the former site of the East Wing to accommodate almost 1,000 people for events such as state banquets.

The renovation is a project close to the president's heart, and one which he has repeatedly spoken about with pride. But it has also drawn criticism — particularly over how it's being financed.

Trump excited for his 'new, big, beautiful' ballroom

Trump insists that — for 150 years — the US government has lacked, and wanted, space to host large receptions at the White House. That's apparently why, "President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future administrations and the American people," as a White House press statement read in July.

With an area of around 8,360 square meters (89,986 square feet), the ballroom now under construction is slightly larger than a soccer field. According to Trump, it will cost "about $300 million" (€258 million).

"I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network on Monday.

Initial plans put capacity at 650 guests. At a dinner with wealthy donors last week, Trump announced that there would be room for 999 people.

Large state receptions and other highly attended celebrations are often held in tents set up on the lawn south of the presidential residence. According to the White House, Trump's renovations will remedy this "unsightly" arrangement.

Federal government shutdown, but building ballrooms?

Trump has emphasized that not a cent of taxpayer money will be used for the renovation. This is likely meant to justify the start of construction work in the midst of a federal government shutdown, which has paralyzed the US government for more than three weeks and halted most public spending.

Critics see the renovation as problematic. "Is it fair for an administration to pursue expensive, mainly aesthetic projects while ordinary US citizens face financial strain and the government faces shutdown, where tens of thousands of federal workers are not receiving paychecks for their hard work?" asked Davina Hurt, director of the government ethics program in the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University in California.

Hurt told DW that she finds the opulence of the renovation completely inappropriate — especially during a shutdown, when many people have to tighten their belts. "This is not the time — nor may it ever be — to build a large opulent ballroom," she said.

Who is paying for the renovation?

Trump has said he will pay for the new ballroom himself — with support from wealthy individuals and companies. A list of donors published by the White House on Thursday includes defense contractor Lockheed Martin and internet giants Microsoft, YouTube, Amazon and Google. Critics have warned that this financing model could lead to corruption.

"The companies giving the money are clearly doing so to gain favor with the government and promote their brand with federal officials," said Richard Painter, professor of corporate law and former chief ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration between 2005 and 2007.

Donations for Trump administration connections?

Concerns are being raised that companies and even private individuals who donate to Trump's pet project now may expect something in return from the president later.

Painter sees such a quid-pro-quo-system as a significant danger — and said it even constitutes bribery.

"These are companies that want something from the government and they are paying, firstly, for access to the president and other high-ranking officials, and, secondly, hoping it will buy them what they want," said Painter.

"Many, such as Lockheed Martin, want big defense department contracts, so our now trillion-dollar defense budget... will grow even more."

Basketball court and bowling alley: White House updates through history

Trump's renovations are not the first time a US president has redesigned the official Washington residence since it was first constructed in 1792.

The modifications range from a tennis court that Barack Obama converted to play basketball, to an extensive gutting of the White House by Harry Truman, who moved into the mansion in 1945. At the time, the building was in poor condition, having been neglected for years.

The renovations covered virtually the entire interior and included a new dining room for state visits, a bowling alley and a new balcony. They lasted from 1948 to 1952.

Trump's ballroom is scheduled to be completed before the end of his term in January 2029.

This article was originally written in German.