A new report suggests that some White House insiders are privately mocking former President Donald Trump’s lavish $300 million ballroom project, reportedly giving it a nickname that references one of his most controversial past associations.
According to political writer Michael Wolff, staffers have been referring to Trump’s planned ballroom as the “Epstein Ballroom” — a dig at the former president’s onetime social connection to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Wolff revealed the claim during an appearance on The Daily Beast’s podcast Inside Trump’s Head, where he recounted a conversation with a White House insider who allegedly used the term in passing. “It wasn’t even prompted,” Wolff said, describing how the phrase came up casually. “When asked about it later, the aide became visibly uncomfortable but admitted it’s been said more than a few times.”
The project, which Trump reportedly intends to name after himself, is set to replace the demolished East Wing and is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Wolff Reveals Nickname During Podcast Interview
Wolff argued that the private nickname highlights two things: the unease among Trump’s own team about the project’s optics and the enduring shadow of Epstein’s name in Trump’s orbit. “It’s viewed as absurd — a tone-deaf, over-the-top project that keeps bringing Epstein’s ghost back into Trump world,” Wolff said.
Epstein and Trump were acquainted for years before Epstein’s 2019 death in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors.
Symbol of Vanity or Reminder of Controversy?
While the White House has not issued a direct denial of Wolff’s claim, officials instead responded by attacking his credibility. Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the report as “fiction,” calling Wolff “a lying sack of s—” and accusing him of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Wolff, however, continues to press forward. He is currently suing Melania Trump, alleging that she tried to block questions related to her husband’s connection with Epstein. The biographer said his lawsuit could compel both Trumps to testify, potentially revealing new details about their past ties to the late financier. “It might be the only way to uncover the full story,” Wolff said.
Meanwhile, the ballroom project itself has sparked public outrage. The extravagant cost and the decision to prioritize the project amid mounting criticism have drawn sharp backlash — even from some of Trump’s allies.
White House Pushes Back on Wolff’s Allegations
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the new ballroom as one of Trump’s “top priorities” and confirmed it will be officially named the Trump Ballroom. However, Wolff insists that within the halls of the White House, many insiders still refer to it by its unofficial title — the “Epstein Ballroom.”
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