It was about a week ago that President Donald Trump announced details of the East Wing ballroom renovation, and it was about 30 seconds later when liberal outrage ensued.
Things are now to the point that one Democrat lawmaker is insisting that anyone in his party planning a future presidential bid vow to demolish the ballroom if elected.
The Washington Post, a publication generally most friendly to the Democrats, just issued an op-ed that obliterates the party's narrative, completely defending the upgrade to the White House complex.
The outrage over the ballroom is utterly ridiculous, and any reasonable person knows that this is a much-needed renovation, as the current facilities cannot host more than a couple of hundred people at a time.
Now, when the White House has events, temporary structures are often needed, usually a tent, which is not exactly fitting for formal state functions. Rather than embracing a $300 million renovation project that is being privately funded, as have been virtually all other White House renovation projects, Democrats are losing their minds.
For instance, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, "The people’s house is basically being sold to the highest bidder. It is corruption at its core." It’s not corruption, and I guarantee you she did not say that when Barack Obama’s project, turning the White House tennis court into a basketball court was privately funded.
Hillary Clinton also posted to X, "It's not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.” Mind you, when she and Bill left the White House, they took nearly $30,000 worth of items they said they “thought” were personal gifts given to them.
The space set for construction will be utilized in many ways, including for inauguration-related functions. At some point, a Democrat will reclaim the White House, but Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), he of the Fang Fang spy scandal, wants to see the ballroom eventually demolished, and he is using the issue as a “litmus test” for any 2028 Democrat presidential candidates.
He stated, "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.”
The new ballroom will seat approximately 650 people and will be able to accommodate about 50% more of that number for a standing event.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained, "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.”
The Washington Post editorial board tried to quell the outrage, albeit by also throwing some shade at Trump, writing, "In classic Trump fashion, the president is pursuing a reasonable idea in the most jarring manner possible. Privately, many alumni of the Biden and Obama White Houses acknowledge the long-overdue need for an event space like what Trump is creating. It is absurd that tents need to be erected on the South Lawn for state dinners, and VIPs are forced to use porta-potties.”
The editorial continued, "The State Dining Room seats 140. The East Room seats about 200. Trump says the ballroom at the center of his 90,000-square-foot addition will accommodate 999 guests. The next Democratic president will be happy to have this.”
Some sanity at last from the mainstream media, but I still doubt that it will quell the uproar from Democrats and the media, who are all in on somehow making this project seem both unprecedented and corrupt (it is neither).
I really hope the American people realize just how ridiculous this faux outrage is and that Dems are upset about this renovation for one simple reason… Donald Trump is the one spearheading it.
