Obama White House Basketball Court Cost Debunked

A viral claim alleges former President Barack Obama spent $376 million in taxpayer money on a White House basketball court. This assertion is circulating amid discussions of a new $200 million White House renovation plan. The claim is entirely false, according to public records and historical reports.

No such expenditure exists in official budgets. The court was a modest adaptation of an existing White House facility.

Actual Cost and Construction of the Court

The basketball court was created in 2009. It was built on the South Lawn tennis court, which dates to the 1950s. The project involved adapting the existing space, not new construction.

According to the Associated Press, the work added basketball hoops and court markings. This allowed the area to be used for both tennis and full-court basketball. The total cost was never officially disclosed.

High-end outdoor basketball court construction typically costs between $50,000 and $200,000. The figure of $376 million is astronomically higher than any realistic estimate. No government budget documentation from that era shows an earmark for this project.

Funding Source and Political Context

Evidence suggests the court was privately funded. The Obama White House archives state the tennis court was simply adapted for dual use. No taxpayer money was allocated for this project.

The viral claim gained traction during debates over a separate, proposed $200 million East Wing renovation. This created a false equivalence between the two projects. The basketball court modification was a minor update, not a major architectural endeavor.

The court was used by Obama for games with staff and visiting celebrities. It became a casual part of White House life. Its cost remains a fraction of the falsely claimed amount.

The $376 million claim about the Obama White House basketball court is a complete fabrication. The actual modification was a low-cost, pragmatic use of existing White House grounds. This debunking highlights the importance of verifying viral political claims.

Thought you’d like to know

How much did the Obama basketball court actually cost?

The exact cost was never officially released. Estimates based on similar projects suggest it was a fraction of the viral claim, likely under $200,000.

Where is the White House basketball court located?

The court is on the White House South Lawn. It was converted from a tennis court that was originally installed during the Eisenhower administration.

Was taxpayer money used to build the court?

No evidence exists that public funds were used. Available information indicates the project was privately funded, though the exact source is not confirmed.

Why is this claim circulating now?

The false claim resurfaced during discussions of a new, expensive White House renovation plan. It is being used for political comparison without factual basis.

Did Obama use the court frequently?

Yes, reports indicate President Obama used the court regularly. He played basketball with staff and hosted professional athletes like LeBron James there.