Trump’s golden ballroom becomes new political battleground as furious Democrat plots to tear it down ‘on day one’
A California Democrat has called on presidential candidates in the 2028 race to vow to ‘demolish’ Donald Trump’s $250 million gold ballroom on ‘day one’.
Eric Swalwell asked fellow Democrats considering running in the next election to take a firm stance against the ballroom, which is currently under construction and funded by private donors.
“Don’t even consider seeking the Democratic presidential nomination unless you promise to throw a wrecking ball into the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE,” he wrote on X.
Alternatively, he said candidates could consider renaming it the “Barack Obama Ballroom” after reports emerged last week that Trump planned to name the venue the “President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.”
“Trump’s monument to corruption will not stand,” Swalwell added.
Trump began demolition work on the century-old East Wing of the White House last week to make way for the new grand ballroom.
Critics argued that Swalwell’s demands were emblematic of the broader problem within the Democratic Party, which is more focused on tearing down Trump than improving the lives of hard-working Americans.
‘Great. Incur unnecessary expenses for the show. “This is what we expect from Democrats,” one critic told Swalwell.
Demolition is already underway, with the East Wing demolished to make way for Trump’s new grand ballroom
The project is expected to be completed well before the end of Trump’s term
Eric Swalwell asked fellow Democrats considering running in the next election to take a firm stance against the ballroom, which is currently under construction and funded by private donors
‘Imagine being elected to the House of Representatives and making it your priority,’ wrote another.
‘I can’t believe you thought this was a winning message. But in the Democrats’ imaginary world, this is a winning strategy, a third added.
‘Great idea; demolishing the new addition worth hundreds of millions of dollars. ‘That’s pure genius!’
Swalwell’s anger came as Hillary Clinton freaked out about Trump’s plans to build the ballroom. The former secretary of state, first lady and presidential candidate who lost to Trump in 2016 lashed out Tuesday.
‘This is not his house. This is your house. “And he’s destroying it,” the former Senator wrote to X, attaching a screenshot of the Washington Post story about the renovation.
The White House responded to the outrage later in the day.
“President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including the historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense,” spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News.
‘These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the People’s House.’
Trump announced plans in July to build a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom that will host state dinners and other official events.
Renderings show a lavish design of crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and gold trim that echoes the opulent aesthetic of the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
The new ballroom will be privately financed, and Trump will also contribute.
Donors include Silicon Valley giants Apple and Google, defense giant Lockheed Martin and telecom provider T-Mobile.
The East Wing, in its original form, was built in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt’s term as a small structure that initially served as a public entrance.
It has since been expanded and modified, most notably with the addition of a second story in 1942 to provide offices for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her staff.
The facade of the East Wing of the White House was demolished by work crews on October 22
Trump’s large American flag can be seen in the background as workers demolished the East Wing of the White House on Monday to make room for the $250 million White House ballroom project.
Trump hosted a lavish White House dinner with the billionaires and corporate executives who financed the ballroom.
Guests included oil baron Harold Hamm, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
“We’re here to congratulate you, because you gave an enormous amount of money to see a ballroom built,” he told the cheering crowd Wednesday.
‘It’s going to be a great ballroom between China and Russia and everything else we’re dealing with… It starts right behind us.’
Trump opened the golden curtains behind him to reveal the construction site.
‘It will be demolished,’ he said. ‘Everything outside is being torn down and will be replaced by the most beautiful ballroom.’
Days after demolition began, Trump lashed out at a reporter who asked if he had been transparent about his plans after it was revealed that the East Wing was being demolished.
Trump also explained his rationale for demolishing the historic building, telling reporters, “In order to do this properly, we had to tear down the existing structure.”
“I showed this to anyone who would listen,” Trump said after showing renderings of the proposed ballroom. ‘Third-rate reporters didn’t see it because they weren’t looking.’
Trump also explained his rationale for demolishing the historic building, telling reporters, “In order to do this properly, we had to tear down the existing structure.”
He added that he never thought [it] too much’ and that the second floor of the East Wing was ‘not very nice’.
