President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that First Lady Melania Trump is not pleased with the noise generated by the construction of the new ballroom on the White House grounds, where the East Wing once stood.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Trump acknowledged the intensity and persistence of the work, noting that heavy machinery, including pile drivers, operates “all day, all night,” a condition that the first lady has found disruptive.

He recounted that Mrs. Trump often asks him whether the machinery can be turned off, to which he has responded that the activity is simply part of progress on what he describes as a significant addition to the Executive Mansion.

The White House State Ballroom is part of a privately funded expansion intended to provide a larger venue for formal events and state functions than existing facilities allow, a project Mr. Trump has championed as a lasting enhancement to the historic residence.

While Mrs. Trump’s discomfort highlights the day-to-day impact of the work on those in the residence, the administration continues to advance construction and has framed the endeavour as an example of modernizing and adapting the White House for future needs.

The scale and pace of the project have drawn attention from the public and lawmakers alike, though the president remains enthusiastic about its ultimate benefits.