TL;DR
No, Barack Obama did not spend $376 million of taxpayer money to build a basketball court at the White House. The claim circulating online is false. The court already existed as a tennis court from the Eisenhower era; Obama merely added basketball hoops and markings in 2009. The renovation cost was modest and likely privately funded, nowhere near the exaggerated $376 million figure.
What’s Being Claimed
As outrage brews over Donald Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project, social media users are drawing false parallels, claiming that former president Barack Obama once spent $376 million to build a basketball court on the White House grounds.
Some posts allege that the Obama administration used taxpayer money for this “extravagant sports project,” implying hypocrisy in the current criticism of Trump’s ballroom plan.
What Actually Happened
Obama’s Basketball Court Was a Simple Upgrade, Not a Construction Project
In 2009, shortly after taking office, President Obama, known for his love of basketball, requested that the existing White House tennis court be modified to allow for both tennis and basketball games.
According to the Obama White House archives,
“Shortly after taking office, President Obama had the White House tennis court adapted so it could be used for both tennis and basketball.”
This means the basketball court was not newly built but rather an adaptation of the existing court originally set up by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s.
Where Is It Located?
The basketball/tennis court sits on the South Lawn of the White House, near the South Portico.
How Much Did It Cost?
The exact amount has never been publicly disclosed, and for good reason: it was insignificant compared to federal projects.
- According to Angi (formerly Angie’s List), a standard outdoor full-size basketball court (94×50 ft) typically costs between $17,000 and $76,000 to construct.
- Since the White House court was already built and only needed hoops and paintwork, the expense would have been far lower.
Most reports suggest the upgrade was privately funded, meaning no taxpayer money was used at all.
That makes the $376 million figure completely implausible, more than the cost of some major federal infrastructure projects or entire sports arenas.
Why Is This Claim Circulating Now?
The renewed attention stems from Donald Trump’s controversial plan to demolish part of the White House East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom.
Reports say the project, partially funded by major corporations like Apple, Google, and Meta, involves extensive structural changes, prompting public backlash over the potential destruction of a historic section of the White House.
In response, Trump supporters have revived old, and false, claims to suggest that Obama engaged in similar excesses.
This is a common disinformation tactic, known as “whataboutism,” used to deflect criticism by pointing to an unrelated, exaggerated example involving a political opponent.
Fact Check Verdict: False
| Claim | Fact | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Obama spent $376 million on a basketball court | The court was pre-existing; only hoops and markings were added | ❌ False |
| Taxpayer money was used | Likely privately funded | ❌ False |
| A new court was built | The existing tennis court was modified | ❌ False |
In short, Obama didn’t build a new court, didn’t use taxpayer funds, and certainly didn’t spend hundreds of millions on it.
The Bigger Picture
While Trump’s ballroom plan is backed by corporate donors and involves major construction, Obama’s court adjustment was a minor, personal modification, comparable to adding a treadmill to the White House gym.
Both may make headlines for different reasons, but only one involves tearing down a wing of an American landmark.
