Amid uproar over US President Donald Trump's ordered razing of the White House East Wing to make way for a $300 million ballroom, some social media users are claiming that former president Barack Obama did something similar. Claims online suggest that Obama squandered a whopping $376 million worth of taxpayer money to build a basketball court in the complex. How true is this claim? Where is the basketball court supposedly worth more than Trump's gold-speckled fancy ballroom? WION brings a fact check.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-says-becoming-vp-to-return-to-white-house-would-be-too-cute-but-insists-i-d-be-allowed-to-1761632934601">Trump says becoming VP to return to White House would be 'too cute' but insists 'I’d be allowed to'. Watch</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Isn&#39;t the demolition of the Whitehouse horrible?...........OH WAIT!!............This is Obama&#39;s new basketball court being built for 376 million in 2010...........IMAGINE THAT!! <a href="https://t.co/lrJx4froFX">pic.twitter.com/lrJx4froFX</a>&mdash; BigFish🐟 (@A_twoo_Z) <a href="https://twitter.com/A_twoo_Z/status/1981333951428899112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump is building a $250M ballroom that is privately funded. Obama built a $376M basketball court during a recession, and tax funded. Dems are MAD AF <a href="https://t.co/Ibyh3CL2No">pic.twitter.com/Ibyh3CL2No</a>&mdash; LFR Family (@LFRFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFRFamily/status/1982606678538465554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Obama's alleged $376 million basketball court</h2>Reports suggest that during a 2009 renovation of the White House tennis court set up in the 1950s by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Obama ordered that basketball hoops and court markings be added to it. The basketball court was not a new installation but rather a mere addition to an existing structure.Where is it? The White House basketball court is located on the South Lawn of the White House.<h2>How much did the Obama basketball court renovation cost?</h2>While the exact amount spent on the basketball court has not been disclosed, reports suggest that it was likely privately funded. It must be noted that even if the project was completed using taxpayer money, the $376 million price tag seems a bit exaggerated. According to Angi (formerly Angie's list) an American home services website, an outdoor full court of size 94x50ft costs between $17,000 to $76,000 on average, much below the excessive figure being shared on social media.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-scores-another-nobel-peace-prize-nomination-this-time-from-japan-1761620702194">Trump scores another Nobel Peace prize nomination...this time from Japan</a>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.” The statement implies that the renovation was an adjustment and not a lavish state project.<h2>Why is the claim being shared now?</h2>The claim is gaining prominence on social media amid uproar over Trump's giant new $300 million ballroom. This massive project, as per a list of donors released by the White House, is being funded by the likes of Apple, Google, and Meta. Nevertheless, the destruction of part of a world-famous landmark, a more widespread demolition than Trump previously revealed, has sparked anger. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A viral claim says former US president Barack Obama spent $376 million in taxpayer money to build a White House basketball court. Here's the truth.

Amid uproar over US President Donald Trump's ordered razing of the White House East Wing to make way for a $300 million ballroom, some social media users are claiming that former president Barack Obama did something similar. Claims online suggest that Obama squandered a whopping $376 million worth of taxpayer money to build a basketball court in the complex. How true is this claim? Where is the basketball court supposedly worth more than Trump's gold-speckled fancy ballroom? WION brings a fact check. Also read | Trump says becoming VP to return to White House would be 'too cute' but insists 'I’d be allowed to'. Watch

A viral claim says former US president Barack Obama spent $376 million in taxpayer money to build a White House basketball court. Here's the truth.

Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House?

For months now, Indonesian audiences have been captivated by one film: Norma, a dramatic tale about a seemingly happy marriage torn apart by the husband's secret affair with his mother-in-law. While this kind of plot—ripe with melodrama—is usually enough to attract attention, what has truly fueled the nationwide frenzy is that Norma is based on a viral real-life story. In 2022, Norma Risma, a woman from Serang City on Java Island, posted a TikTok video revealing her husband’s affair with her own mother. The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views, making headlines, and even landing her a movie deal that would sweep Southeast Asia.&nbsp;Released in March in Indonesian theaters and streaming on Netflix by August, Norma quickly became one of the most-watched films not only in Indonesia but also in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. The film taps into a growing trend among Indonesian filmmakers: adapting real-life, viral scandals into films. Such themes of infidelity and marital betrayal are highly controversial in Indonesia, where adultery can lead to imprisonment, and the country’s new criminal code—effective next year—criminalises sex outside of marriage. Even in the most conservative regions, public flogging of couples engaging in premarital sex is still a reality. Yet, in this conservative climate, there's an undeniable voyeuristic intrigue surrounding such scandals.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/is-katrina-kaif-pregnant-viral-photo-sparks-buzz-about-first-child-with-vicky-kaushal-1758355831964">Is Katrina Kaif pregnant? Viral photo sparks buzz about first child with Vicky Kaushal</a>&nbsp;While many social media users are appalled by the affair, some even wonder if the actors involved will feel discomfort after filming such intimate scenes. In one particular scene, a character who uncovers the affair literally vomits at the sight, a moment that captures the audience’s shock. What sets Norma apart from similar films, however, is that the real Norma Risma had a hand in the film’s creation. Screenwriter Oka Aurora, who also worked on other TikTok-inspired stories like Ipar Adalah Maut and Layangan Putus, spent considerable time with Norma, discussing her feelings and her family’s history. Though some parts were fictionalised for dramatic effect, the core of the story remains true to Norma’s experience. Oka emphasizes the film’s broader message of empowering women to speak out about infidelity and violence. “This is a small step for women to speak up,” she was quoted as saying, noting that these films give women a voice in a traditionally patriarchal society.&nbsp;Also Read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-stay-in-the-country-for-now-amazon-advises-h-1b-and-h-4-visa-holders-amid-100k-fee-rule-and-new-us-immigration-policies-1758354459671">Stay in the country for now': Amazon advises H-1B and H-4 visa holders amid $100K fee rule and new US immigration policies</a>&nbsp;For the real Norma, now working as an outsourced employee in her hometown, life continues. Her mother, Rihanah, who served an eight-month prison sentence for her affair, has returned to live with Norma, while her ex-husband, Rozy, serves a nine-month sentence. Despite everything, Norma finds solace in the support she receives from others who have been through similar struggles. Since the film’s release, Norma has remained active on social media, sharing glimpses of her life and receiving an outpouring of support. On TikTok, where she shared photos of herself with a cake sent by the film's production company, fans flooded her with messages of admiration.

A mother, a husband, and a scandal that took over Indonesia: The shocking story of Norma

For months now, Indonesian audiences have been captivated by one film: Norma, a dramatic tale about a seemingly happy marriage torn apart by the husband's secret affair with his mother-in-law. While this kind of plot—ripe with melodrama—is usually enough to attract attention, what has truly fueled the nationwide frenzy is that Norma is based on a viral real-life story. In 2022, Norma Risma, a woman from Serang City on Java Island, posted a TikTok video revealing her husband’s affair with her own mother. The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views, making headlines, and even landing her a movie deal that would sweep Southeast Asia. Released in March in Indonesian theaters and streaming on Netflix by August, Norma quickly became one of the most-watched films not only in Indonesia but also in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. The film taps into a growing trend among Indonesian filmmakers: adapting real-life, viral scandals into films. Such themes of infidelity and marital betrayal are highly controversial in Indonesia, where adultery can lead to imprisonment, and the country’s new criminal code—effective next year—criminalises sex outside of marriage. Even in the most conservative regions, public flogging of couples engaging in premarital sex is still a reality. Yet, in this conservative climate, there's an undeniable voyeuristic intrigue surrounding such scandals. Also Read: Is Katrina Kaif pregnant? Viral photo sparks buzz about first child with Vicky Kaushal While many social media users are appalled by the affair, some even wonder if the actors involved will feel discomfort after filming such intimate scenes. In one particular scene, a character who uncovers the affair literally vomits at the sight, a moment that captures the audience’s shock. What sets Norma apart from similar films, however, is that the real Norma Risma had a hand in the film’s creation. Screenwriter Oka Aurora, who also worked on other TikTok-inspired stories like Ipar Adalah Maut and Layangan Putus, spent considerable time with Norma, discussing her feelings and her family’s history. Though some parts were fictionalised for dramatic effect, the core of the story remains true to Norma’s experience. Oka emphasizes the film’s broader message of empowering women to speak out about infidelity and violence. “This is a small step for women to speak up,” she was quoted as saying, noting that these films give women a voice in a traditionally patriarchal society. Also Read: 'Stay in the country for now': Amazon advises H-1B and H-4 visa holders amid $100K fee rule and new US immigration policies For the real Norma, now working as an outsourced employee in her hometown, life continues. Her mother, Rihanah, who served an eight-month prison sentence for her affair, has returned to live with Norma, while her ex-husband, Rozy, serves a nine-month sentence. Despite everything, Norma finds solace in the support she receives from others who have been through similar struggles. Since the film’s release, Norma has remained active on social media, sharing glimpses of her life and receiving an outpouring of support. On TikTok, where she shared photos of herself with a cake sent by the film's production company, fans flooded her with messages of admiration.

The story of Norma Risma, who exposed her husband's affair with her mother through TikTok, has turned into a viral sensation and a box-office hit in Southeast Asia, sparking a conversation on infidelity and empowerment

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Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House?

'Viral betrayal': How one woman's pain sparked a Southeast Asia movie craze