Federal Judge Blocks Trump White House Ballroom Construction, Maurizio Cattelan Launches Confession Hotline

On March 31, 2026, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered a halt to construction of a White House ballroom project initiated by President Trump, ruling that congressional approval is required for such major renovations. The judge's decision came after the East Wing had already been demolished in October to make way for the ballroom. Judge Leon expressed concerns about $350 million in private donations funding the project, with Public Citizen reporting that two-thirds came from corporate donors who received government contracts totaling over $275 billion. The judge noted that if Congress eventually authorizes the project, it would demonstrate proper constitutional processes. Separately, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan announced a global confession hotline where people can share their sins, marking the 21st anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death. Selected participants will be included in a livestream event on April 23 where Cattelan will offer absolution. The artist described the project as a shared gesture rather than religious authority, though he acknowledged the timing on April Fools' Day might raise questions about its seriousness. In other news, British illustrator Glen Baxter died at age 82; his work appeared in the New Yorker and was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Centre Pompidou. Pierre-Olivier Costa, director of Marseille's Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, is under investigation for alleged harassment. Mexican art communities have expressed concern about extended loans of Frida Kahlo works from the Gelman Santander Collection being displayed outside Mexico. Thousands protested cultural funding cuts in Bratislava, Slovakia. Hyperallergic published April Fools' Day satire including a piece about the Louvre installing locks after a heist. Preparations are underway for Claude Monet's centenary commemorations in December, with his Giverny home reopening to expected large crowds, raising concerns about overtourism at the historic site.