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Trump, first public appearance after the Republicans’ defeat / He avoided commenting on the result and spoke about the new Ballroom: “Imagine chandeliers everywhere, imagine the marble floor.”

Raluca Ioana Draghici

5 November 2026, 05:19

International

shutterstock.com: Donald Trump vorbește cu membrii mass-media în apropierea construcției în curs a Sălii de Bal, 19 mai 2026

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Donald Trump made his first public appearance after the midterm elections at the construction site of the White House’s new Ballroom, where he presented the project to the press. The event, organized on Wednesday and described as a tribute to workers, took place after the Republican Party lost control of Congress.

The American president initially avoided questions about the election results, the impact of the Iran War on the vote, and a possible impeachment process. He focused on the details of the new construction, which authorities estimate will be completed before the end of his term, in 2028.

Trump spoke about bulletproof glass walls, protection against drones and small missiles, as well as the hall’s finishes, including the marble floor and chandeliers. During the visit, he signed a steel beam, writing “Love!” on it, before it was installed by workers.

The Ballroom is being built on the site of a former wing of the presidential residence. The project is criticized by Democrats, who complain about the lack of consultations and the limited transparency regarding its funding. Trump also announced his intention to build in Washington a triumphal arch larger than the one in Paris.

Context: Trump challenged the impeachment and temporarily won permission to continue work on the ballroom

Before appearing at the construction site, Trump warned that Democrats would “destroy” the Democratic Party if they initiated impeachment proceedings after taking control of Congress at the beginning of 2027, adding that there would be “no reason” for his removal.

Earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed work on the White House ballroom to continue, suspending a court order that would have halted part of the project, estimated to cost about 400 million dollars. The administration’s argument was related to national security, including assassination risks against Trump.

Meanwhile, announcements of private funding for the project emerged: Nvidia and Apple each pledged 25 million dollars, while other commitments included donations from the Adelson family and billionaire Charles Ergen, plus contributions from federal contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and Palantir.