Multiple outlets report that cost estimates for President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom have risen to roughly $600 million, according to information described as leaked or obtained by other reporting. The Independent and TheJournal.ie say the latest figure indicates a significant portion of the project is expected to rely on U.S. taxpayer funding, despite Trump’s earlier claims that private donors would pay and that the project would be “taxpayer free.” Fox News notes Republicans are questioning Trump’s “privately funded” description after the reported figures suggest an overall taxpayer burden. The Independent further states internal cost estimates indicate the project was always expected to depend substantially on taxpayer money. New Republic likewise characterizes the reporting as indicating that about half the cost would be borne by taxpayers, and it contrasts that with Trump’s earlier pledge that no U.S. citizen would pay even “10 cents.” Across the reports, the central point is the jump from an earlier lower estimate to $600 million and the reported expectation that taxpayers would cover roughly half of the total cost.