President Trump said on Friday that the White House ballroom is scheduled to open in just over two years in September of 2028 near the end of his second term.

“China has a Ballroom, and so should the U.S.A.! It’s under construction, ahead of schedule, and will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social along with a picture of him walking alongside Chinese President Xi during his trip to Beijing this week.

“Thank you for all the support I have been given in getting this project going. Scheduled opening will be around September of 2028,” he continued.

The statement marks the first time Trump has floated a targeted opening date for the structure and comes after construction crews started building the ground floor this week.

The project has been the subject of intense criticism after Trump tore down the White House East Wing to make way for the ballroom.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the construction, arguing…