New construction site for the White House ballroom [AP Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) criticized groups that have filed lawsuits to block the construction of a large new ballroom at the White House, which he has been pushing for, and stated his position that construction should not be halted.

Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, "If construction is stopped at this point when so many materials have already been ordered and (construction processes) are underway, it will be devastating for the White House, our country, and all stakeholders."

He emphasized, "So-called 'preservationists,' who receive funding from the most unusual places, should not prevent the urgently needed expansion of our great White House."

This was a jab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), which filed a lawsuit against him to stop the ballroom construction.

Earlier, the organization urged President Trump in October last year to halt construction until the ballroom renovation plan underwent the relevant federal review and public comment periods.

However, President Trump rushed the construction to complete the ballroom within his term, demolishing the East Wing, a part of the White House, and proceeding with the work. This led to criticism that the historic building was being damaged without proper procedures.

President Trump labeled the group as "far-left," "disruptors and troublemakers," and asserted that they are "a group that has no interest in our country."

He further argued that the White House, due to its unique nature, does not require separate expansion permits, and emphasized that the ballroom construction is "being designed, agreed upon, and approved at the highest levels of the U.S. military and the Secret Service (SS)."

President Trump stated that large and important state events, dinners, and meetings will be held in the ballroom, adding, "This is a space that successive presidents and administrations have desperately wanted for over 150 years."

He also added that no U.S. taxpayer money is being used for the ballroom construction, which is projected to cost between $300 million and $400 million (approximately 436.5 billion to 582.1 billion won). The construction costs are expected to be covered by donations from wealthy individuals and large corporations.