President Donald Trump's plan to replace the White House East Wing with a grand new ballroom and expanded underground security facilities is facing renewed criticism after a Washington Post report claimed internal construction estimates are significantly higher than initial figures publicly cited by the administration.

Trump has consistently said private donors — not taxpayers — will fund the ambitious project.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office in late March, Trump described plans for the new complex, including bomb shelters and major medical facilities, and insisted that the project is "taxpayer-free."

"We have no taxpayer putting up 10 cents" for it, Trump said at the time.

The president has estimated the project's cost at no more than $400 million and said it would be financed by himself and other patriotic supporters.

The White House initially announced the project last July as a $200 million undertaking funded by Trump and "other patriot donors," while noting that the Secret Service would handle security-related modifications.

According to documents obtained by the Post, however, contractor Clark Construction estimated a higher overall price tag.

A March project estimate reportedly put total costs at roughly $600 million, with funding expected from both private and government sources, including the Secret Service and White House Military Office.

The White House pushed back on suggestions that taxpayers are footing the bill for the ballroom itself.

"The East Wing Modernization Project is inextricably tied to the security of the President, the White House grounds and the certain security infrastructure assets," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement to Newsmax.

"President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for Presidents for generations to come," he explained.

"The events over the weekend and the foiled attempted attack on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House proves exactly why the East Wing Modernization Project is severely needed for large scale events, which include drone-proof structures and drone ports among other critical security enhancements," Ingle added.

Records cited by the Post indicate administration officials considered using federal funds for certain security-related and site-preparation work associated with the project.

In a July 30 email to colleagues, Caroline C. Hunter, general counsel in the White House Office of Administration, explained that contract language had been revised "to tie the project more closely to security-related issues since USSS [U.S. Secret Service] is providing the funding."

"We believe this edit is important to comply with fiscal law principles," Hunter added.

Trump has acknowledged that government agencies would cover portions of the security infrastructure tied to the broader project.

During a May visit to the White House construction site to tour the ongoing work, the president stressed that the various components of the project were interconnected.

"This is one well-knit building," Trump told reporters. "One thing doesn't work without the other."

He then noted that some security-related work would be funded through existing government budgets.

"They have a budget in Secret Service and the military to do some of the work that you see right here," Trump said.

At the same event, the president maintained that the ballroom itself "is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer."

"This is a gift to the United States of America," he said.

The project has also become a point of debate on Capitol Hill.

A proposal backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that would have authorized $400 million for White House security and ballroom upgrades failed after several Republicans joined Democrats in sinking it.

Explaining her opposition to the measure, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters that Trump "indicated that the ballroom was going to be built with private donations."

"I think that's the commitment that should be kept," she said.