Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is making a bold call to future Democratic presidential candidates: pledge to destroy President Donald Trump’s newly constructed White House ballroom if elected.
“Don’t even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE,” Swalwell wrote on X on Saturday. His post quickly drew attention amid ongoing debate over Trump’s redesign and expansion of parts of the White House complex.
For the first time in the building’s history, the White House will include a formal ballroom, constructed on the site of the former East Wing. Announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 31, the addition marks one of the largest structural projects ever undertaken at the executive residence.
Leavitt explained that the 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be able to host about 650 seated guests and is designed to match the White House’s neoclassical style. “The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders in other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building’s entrance,” she stated. Leavitt added that the new facility would be “a much-needed and exquisite addition.”
Construction began earlier this month and is expected to continue through 2026. The total cost is estimated at $250 million, fully financed by President Trump and private donors, according to officials. As crews began clearing sections of the East Wing, images of demolition circulated widely online.
The project has sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters call it an investment in American hospitality and tradition, while opponents accuse the president of altering a historic landmark.
Beyond the ballroom, several other changes have been introduced across the White House grounds. The Oval Office and Cabinet Room now feature gold accents, and the Rose Garden lawn has been updated with new stone pavers. Two 88-foot flagpoles have been installed near the North Lawn, visible from Pennsylvania Avenue.
Additionally, a monument titled the “Arc de Trump” is under construction near the South Portico. A “walk of fame” display now includes portraits of past presidents. Among them is a photograph of the autopen that signed documents during Joe Biden’s tenure—an inclusion that has drawn attention from visitors and staff alike.
White House officials emphasize that none of these upgrades require taxpayer funding. Leavitt confirmed that all contributions are privately sourced and approved through the same commission process used for prior renovations.
While the ballroom’s completion is still months away, it has already become a centerpiece of political discussion in Washington. Swalwell’s call for Democrats to campaign on demolishing the addition highlights how the construction has evolved from an architectural project into a partisan talking point ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
Intended to host state dinners, summits, and ceremonial events traditionally held offsite due to space limitations, the ballroom will become one of the largest enclosed venues within the White House complex once finished. According to officials, it is expected to remain a permanent fixture unless a future administration chooses otherwise.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/10/eric-swalwells-trump-derangement-syndrome-reaches-new-heights-with-2028-pledge-demand-watch/
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