Which specific White House projects were funded under Obama and their individual costs?

1. The headline number and what it actually denotes

Multiple recent fact checks and explainers identify a commonly quoted $376 million as the total for a four‑year White House modernization program focused on utilities and life‑safety systems rather than a single renovation or ornamental refit — the phrase “Big Dig” or modernization project is used in analysis ^{[1] [3]}. Snopes and other outlets contextualize the figure as related to essential infrastructure work and note that the visible West Wing work was only a phase inside a broader, multi‑year effort ^{[2] [1]}.

2. How the figure has been used politically

The $376M figure resurfaced in late‑2025 amid debate over separate, later construction at the White House under a different administration; critics contrasted that later project with the Obama‑era number to argue hypocrisy or differing standards ^[2]. Social‑media posts and activists circulated the $376M figure as proof of lavish spending by Obama-era officials; fact‑checkers pushed back by clarifying the scope and purpose of the work ^{[2] [4]}.

3. What the cited sources actually report about funding

Reporting indicates the $376M covered a program to upgrade critical systems — utilities, structural support, mechanical systems and life‑safety elements — required to keep the complex operational, not discretionary redecorating ^{[1] [3]}. CNN and other contemporary reports that are cited in later articles are described as documenting taxpayer funding of the utility upgrades; later administrations have stressed private fundraising for some different projects ^[2].

4. What is not in the available reporting (important limitation)

Available sources do not provide a detailed, itemized list of "specific White House projects" funded under Obama with individual dollar amounts; they present an aggregate $376M modernization total and note phases like West Wing utility work, but they do not break that total into named, line‑item projects in the materials provided here ^{[1] [3]}. Therefore, assertions about exact dollar amounts for discrete projects under Obama are not supported by the current reporting ^[1].

5. Conflicting framings and editorial agendas

Some outlets and political actors framed the $376M number as proof of extravagant or political spending on the White House; others — fact‑checkers and explanatory pieces — frame it as essential infrastructure work that is routinely necessary for a century‑old executive mansion ^{[2] [1]}. Sources with partisan aims repurposed the figure to score political points during debates over later White House work, while explainers sought to correct that framing ^{[2] [4]}.

6. Where to look next for the line‑item detail you asked for

Available reporting here points to aggregate program totals and contemporary news coverage (e.g., CNN) but not to a single public line‑item ledger in these excerpts ^{[2] [1]}. To obtain itemized project-by-project costs you would need primary budget documents, Architect of the Capitol/White House Historical Association procurement records, Office of the Chief Usher/White House budget justifications, or the underlying contemporary news archives referenced by these explainers — documents not included in the sources provided ^{[1] [3]}.

7. Bottom line for readers and fact‑checking consumers

The $376 million number is grounded in reporting about a multi‑year modernization effort in the Obama years focused on utilities and safety systems; it is not equivalent to a single, cosmetic redecorating bill, and the reporting here does not list individual project costs that would let you map the total into named items ^{[1] [2]}. Be wary of social‑media claims that present the aggregate figure as a single flamboyant purchase; consult primary budget records if you need project‑level accounting ^{[1] [3]}.