Trump claims the military is building a military complex beneath the future White House ballroom

"Currently, the army is building a large complex under the ballroom (...) everything is going very well, we are even ahead of schedule," the head of state said from the plane bringing him back from his weekend in Florida, showing plans of the ballroom to the press.

"The ballroom actually serves as a shelter for everything built below it by the military, including protection against drones or other things," he continued.

He added that this had "leaked recently following a ridiculous lawsuit" brought against the construction site.

In October, the former real estate developer had an entire wing of the presidential residence in Washington bulldozed.

He had a ballroom built in its place, intended to accommodate up to 1.000 people, for various receptions and dinners in honor of foreign dignitaries.

Donald Trump frequently mentions, in great detail, these works which have raised many criticisms.

"We use onyx and stones that are incredible," he recently said at a press conference partly dedicated to the war in the Middle East.

The project, one of the most ambitious undertaken at this famous site in over a century, has continued to grow in scope. Its projected budget, funded by private donations, has increased from $200 million to $400 million.

Keen to leave his mark on the American capital, Donald Trump renamed an iconic performance venue "Trump-Kennedy Center".

He also plans to build a large arch in Washington, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.