President Trump is now reportedly pressing ahead with plans to construct a new ballroom in the White House, responding to criticism from Democrats who have described the project as extravagant and even suggested it should be torn down if their party returns to the Oval Office in 2028.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told NBC News on Friday, “I don’t think it would be a bad idea to tear it down. It’s this gigantic blob there that’s Donald Trump,” reflecting the broader Democratic frustration with the expansion of the East Wing. Several other Democrats have voiced similar concerns, questioning both the necessity and the ethics of the project.
The president has justified the undertaking as a practical improvement for White House operations. “The East Wing was a beautiful, little, tiny structure that was built many years ago that was renovated and expanded and disbanded and columns ripped out — and it had nothing to do with the original building,” Trump told Fox News’s Laura Ingraham on Monday. He continued, “It was a poor, sad sight, and I could have built the ballroom around it, but it would not have been — we’re building one of the greatest ballrooms in the world.”
The project, which is expected to cost $300 million, is designed to expand the White House’s capacity for large ceremonial dinners that are currently held in tents on the lawn. Construction is being funded through private donations, a move that has drawn scrutiny from Democrats, who argue it raises concerns about undue influence and conflicts of interest.
In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Democratic Senators including Adam Schiff, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, and Bernie Sanders called for transparency in the project’s funding. “These circumstances risk blatant corruption as these companies and their stakeholders seek to position themselves in the government’s good graces,” the senators wrote, demanding a full list of corporate and individual donors. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) echoed the sentiment, telling NBC News, “This is a space that’s owned by the people and that serves the people. So, it should be used opposite of what Trump has in mind, which is for the American aristocracy and plutocracy to gather.”
Despite criticism, the Trump administration maintains that the project is in the public interest and represents a modernization of White House facilities. The president argues that the current setup is inadequate for hosting state functions, which are central to presidential duties.
Public opinion appears divided. An October survey from YouGov found that 54 percent of Americans either strongly or somewhat disapprove of the East Wing demolition and new ballroom construction. Nonetheless, the president remains committed to completing the project, highlighting the long-term benefits for the executive mansion’s ceremonial and diplomatic functions.
For Trump, the ballroom is more than a structure; it is a statement of executive prerogative and a solution to longstanding logistical challenges. While Democrats have framed it as a symbol of privilege and potential corruption, the administration insists that the modernization will serve the country’s interests, providing a space for official events and large-scale gatherings that reflect the historic and functional needs of the White House.
In the face of criticism, the White House has signaled it will continue with the project at full speed, emphasizing that private funding allows the initiative to proceed without burdening taxpayers, while simultaneously creating one of the largest and most versatile event spaces in the executive residence.
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