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Despite Democrats securing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, President Donald Trump chose to spend Wednesday focused elsewhere. Rather than addressing the election results, Trump promoted his $400 million plan to construct a ballroom at the White House.
A Controversial Construction Project
The proposed ballroom has drawn criticism since Trump first announced it. He demolished the White House’s East Wing to make space for the structure. He also revealed plans to include a military complex beneath the building, adding further controversy to the project.
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Former presidents and US courts have challenged whether Trump holds the authority to carry out such a project. However, Trump has largely pressed forward regardless. He once described the ballroom as “THE GREATEST OF ITS KIND!”
Legal Battles and Supreme Court Ruling
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit seeking to halt construction of the White House ballroom. In September, the Supreme Court ruled in Trump’s favor. The court determined that the National Trust lacked the legal standing to bring the suit, allowing construction to continue.
Whether Trump can fully advance the project under a Democrat-controlled Congress remains uncertain. The shift in congressional power could create new obstacles for the plan going forward.
Trump Speaks at Beam-Raising Ceremony
On Wednesday, Trump appeared unconcerned about the election outcome. He spoke at a ceremony marking the raising of the final beam on the structure. “This is a special structure,” he said, according to the New York Times. “It’s going to be not only one of the biggest, but it’ll be the most beautiful ballroom, I think, anywhere in the world.”
Trump also addressed criticism over the time he has spent on White House construction projects during the campaign. “You know, it was sort of mentioned a little bit during the campaign: ‘Why does Trump spend time on the White House?'” he said. “Well, first of all, it’s very little time. Second of all, I like it. It’s good. For me, it’s relaxing.”
The $400 million White House ballroom project now moves forward amid a changed political landscape. How the new Democratic majority in Congress responds to the initiative remains to be seen.
