Lara Trump blasts Swalwell’s call to demolish White House ballroom
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“My View” host Lara Trump criticized Rep. Eric Swalwell’s “ridiculous” suggestion that the next Democratic presidential candidate should pledge to tear down President Donald Trump’s $250 million White House ballroom.
“This is ridiculous…we all know it. And everyone should be happy with it.” [the ballroom]Trump said Monday on “Fox & Friends First.”
“But of course this is Eric Swalwell…”
The California Democrat offered the pledge to demolish the addition as a litmus test for the party’s 2028 candidates, writing on X on Saturday: “Don’t even consider seeking the Democratic presidential nomination unless you promise to throw a wrecking ball into the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE.”
HILLARY CLINTON DISCOVERS VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: ‘IT’S NOT HIS HOME’
Lara Trump (left) watches the 2025 Republican National Committee winter meeting in Washington, DC, on January 17; Representative Eric Swalwell (R) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2023. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images (left); Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images (right))
Swalwell’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Democrats have criticized the sprawling 90,000-square-foot project, which would give the White House a formal ballroom for the first time in history.
The ballroom will stand on the site of the East Wing and remain true to the classic design of the White House.
WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL BOARD DEFENDS TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
An excavator clears rubble following the collapse of the East Wing of the White House on October 23, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
Construction began earlier this month and will be funded by Trump and private donors.
Despite opposition from many, the Washington Post editorial board defended the project on Sunday, arguing that the next Democratic president would be happy to have the space for official events and hosting.
Trump responded to this claim in his speech on Monday.
“It’s incredible… they’re absolutely right,” he said.
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“The only thing I would disagree with them on is I don’t know when we’ll see another Democrat as president, whether that’s the way the Democrats are acting about a beautiful renovation of the White House that is long overdue and really needed, that everyone should be able to enjoy.”
Fox News’ Amanda Macias and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.
