President Donald Trump did something highly unusual for a sitting U.S. president: on August 5, 2025, he was seen walking on the roof of the White House’s West Wing, waving to reporters and looking over plans for a major new construction project. The moment quickly spread across social media and drew widespread attention from U.S. news outlets.

According to reports, Trump stepped onto the roof with a small group of aides and security personnel while discussing a proposal to build a large new ballroom near the White House complex. When asked what he was doing up there, he reportedly described it casually as “just taking a little walk,” while pointing toward the area where the project would be developed.

The planned addition is described as a 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to support official receptions, ceremonies, and large-scale events. Supporters of the idea say it would reduce the need for temporary structures during major gatherings and provide a more permanent space for formal functions. The project cost has been estimated at roughly $200 million.

Trump also stated that the ballroom would be funded through private money, including his own funds and private donations, rather than taxpayer dollars. That detail became a major focus of discussion, with supporters calling it a practical approach and critics questioning the optics of such a project. Either way, the rooftop appearance became one of the most talked-about visuals of the summer—an unexpected, headline-grabbing scene that few Americans have ever seen from a sitting president.