Trump unveils newly renovated White House facade: ‘Very proud’

President Donald Trump has shared new images of what he described as the "fully renovated" White House facade, saying extensive restoration work has given the historic building decades of additional life.

Trump posted photographs of the South side of the White House to Truth Social early Thursday, highlighting restoration of the exterior as well as a new South Entrance and helipad.

"Actual pictures of our fully renovated White House facade, facing South, with the new South Entrance, and Heliport!" Trump wrote.

"It had to be done, and I am very proud to be the President who did it!" Trump added.

The work comes amid a much broader transformation of the White House complex during Trump's second term, including work on the North Portico, changes to the Rose Garden and extensive construction on the site of the former East Wing for a new ballroom and military complex.

Trump said Thursday that the ballroom and military complex were "on time, and on budget," describing them as an "unbelievably beautiful addition" to the White House.

The project has been the subject of legal challenges and scrutiny over its cost and funding, with the Supreme Court allowing construction to continue in August while litigation over the project proceeds.

Newsweek has contacted the White House and National Park Service for further comment.

Trump's newly released photographs focus on the South facade, one of the most recognizable views of the White House.

The South Portico, with its curved colonnade and Truman Balcony above it, faces the South Lawn and has historically served as an arrival and departure point for presidents and foreign leaders.

Trump said the work addressed deterioration to both the building's exterior walls and decorative architectural features.

"Over the years, the facade, both North and South, suffered tremendous wear, tear, and damage," he wrote. "The exterior walls and ornamentation, both missing and in bad condition, has been fully restored to the Highest Level, giving the White House many decades of additional life!"

The president did not provide a detailed breakdown of the restoration work or its cost. Work has also been underway on the White House's North Portico. The Washington Post reported in September that workers had spent roughly two months repairing the historic columns and strengthening the entrance before coverings surrounding the structure began to be removed.

The White House itself dates to the 1790s, although the building has repeatedly been rebuilt, expanded and renovated. The South Portico was constructed during James Monroe's presidency in the 1820s, while the North Portico was added several years later under Andrew Jackson. The West Wing was constructed during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency in 1902 and the White House underwent a near-total interior reconstruction during Harry Truman's presidency between 1948 and 1952.

The facade restoration is part of a series of changes Trump has made to the White House and its grounds, among the most significant being the ballroom and associated East Wing redevelopment.

The original East Wing was demolished as the administration moved ahead with plans for a large new ceremonial space and additional security and military infrastructure.

Trump initially promoted the ballroom as a privately funded addition designed to give the White House a permanent space for large state events rather than relying on temporary tents. The project has since expanded to include substantial underground security infrastructure and other facilities.

In August, the Supreme Court permitted construction to continue while a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation proceeds. The Court said its ruling did not decide the ultimate legality of the project but found that the government was likely to prevail on its argument that the preservation group lacked standing. Trump has repeatedly said taxpayers will not pay for the ballroom itself.

In September, he said the ballroom would cost close to $400 million and was being funded by himself and private companies. Internal contractor documents reported by The Washington Post , however, estimated the wider East Wing project at about $600 million, with approximately $293 million expected from private sources and the remainder associated with government-funded security, military and Executive Residence work.

The White House has said those taxpayer-funded costs relate to security and other government functions rather than the ballroom itself. Trump reiterated Thursday that the work remained on schedule.

"Likewise, the Ballroom and Military Complex, is on time, and on budget," he wrote.

Trump said the development would be the most significant addition to the White House since the West Wing was constructed.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips .