Trump Will Build White House Ballroom with Own Money; “Four Years Is Plenty”; “Investigated More Than Al Capone — And I Won”

President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago in May 2025, announced plans to build “a world-class, beautiful ballroom” at the White House — funding it himself. “I’m not going to ask the government for money. I’ll fund it, and I’m sure we’ll have some donations.” On the third-term question, Trump was definitive: “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody — ideally a great Republican. Four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular.” On investigations: “I have been investigated more than any person in the history of the United States of America. More than Al Capone. And I won.” He confirmed Hegseth’s job was “totally safe”: “We’re doing a fantastic job against the Houthis. He’s doing a very good job.”

The White House Ballroom

Trump shared his vision while giving NBC a tour of Mar-a-Lago’s main ballroom.

“We are going to make and build a ballroom, which they’ve wanted for probably 100 years at the White House,” Trump said. “And it’ll be a world-class, beautiful ballroom.”

The interviewer noted: “A ballroom that could cost millions of dollars.”

Trump confirmed the funding: “I’m not going to ask the government for money. I’ll fund it, and I’m sure we’ll have some donations to it.”

The ballroom announcement was quintessential Trump — the real estate developer who couldn’t look at a building without imagining how to improve it. The White House, despite being the most famous residence in the world, lacked a proper ballroom for large-scale events. State dinners, receptions, and celebrations were held in existing rooms that were not designed for the purpose.

Trump’s offer to fund the construction personally — without taxpayer money — was consistent with his approach to other White House improvements, including the 100-foot flagpoles he had announced earlier. The president was investing his own money in the people’s house, treating it with the same standards he applied to his private properties.

”Four Years Is Plenty”

The third-term question produced Trump’s most definitive answer.

“Are you seriously considering a third term, even though it’s prohibited by the Constitution?” the interviewer asked. “Or is this about staying politically viable?”

Trump acknowledged the demand: “So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that.”

He acknowledged the constraint: “But it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.”

He stated his plan: “This is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican, to carry it forward.”

He delivered the assessment: “I think four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular.”

The “four years is plenty” formulation was both a definitive answer to the third-term question and a mission statement for the remaining three years. Trump was not seeking to extend his presidency; he was seeking to make it transformative. The implication was that the pace of the first 100 days — tariffs, tax reform, border security, trade deals, DOGE savings — would continue and intensify.

”Investigated More Than Al Capone”

The interviewer asked about criticism and reprisal.

“Do you think people should have the right to criticize you without fear of reprisal?” the interviewer asked.

“Absolutely. That I do,” Trump said. “And I think that happens.”

The interviewer pressed: “How do you square that with executive orders asking the Attorney General to look into some of the people who’ve been harshest against you?”

Trump pivoted to his own experience: “I have been investigated more than any person in the history of the United States of America.”

He drew the comparison: “I’ve been investigated more than the late great, as I say at my rallies, Alfonso Capone. Alfonso Capone was a nasty man. He was the highest level gangster. And I have been investigated more than Al Capone, more than anybody.”

He stated the result: “These people are evil people, and I won.”

He described his approach to DOJ: “All I want to happen is for the Department of Justice and the FBI — Pam is great, and Cash is great — I think they’re two great people. But they’re their own people. They want to do a fantastic job.”

He stated the principle: “I’m not telling them to do anything. I believe I have the right to do it. I’m, in theory, the top law enforcement officer as president. But I’m not looking to use that.”

He concluded: “We have two great people, and we have many incredible people under them. I just want them to do their job and do it well.”

The Al Capone comparison was Trump at his most rhetorically effective. Al Capone — the most investigated criminal in American history — had ultimately been convicted of tax evasion after years of federal investigation. Trump had endured investigations that, by his account, exceeded Capone’s in scope: two impeachments, a special counsel, multiple state and federal prosecutions, congressional investigations, and civil lawsuits. And unlike Capone, Trump had emerged not convicted but reelected.

Hegseth: “Totally Safe”

The interviewer attempted the Hegseth question.

“Are you looking for a new Secretary of Defense?” the interviewer asked.

“No, not even a little bit,” Trump said.

He cited performance: “Pete’s going to be great. We’re doing a fantastic job against the Houthis who like blowing ships up and watching them sink in the ocean. We’re hitting them very hard.”

He confirmed the status: “He’s doing a very good job. His job is safe right now.”

“Totally safe?” the interviewer pressed.

“Totally safe,” Trump confirmed.

The Hegseth defense was consistent with every previous statement from the administration. The Secretary of Defense was evaluated on military results — Houthi operations, recruitment numbers, readiness — not on media speculation about internal dynamics. By every metric the administration cited, Hegseth was performing.

Key Takeaways

• Trump will build a “world-class ballroom” at the White House funded personally: “I’m not going to ask the government for money.”
• On third term: “Four years is plenty of time to do something spectacular. I’ll turn it over to a great Republican.”
• “I’ve been investigated more than Al Capone, more than anybody. These people are evil. And I won.”
• On DOJ: “Pam and Cash are great. I’m not telling them to do anything. I just want them to do their job.”
• Hegseth’s job: “Totally safe. We’re doing a fantastic job against the Houthis. He’s doing a very good job.”