Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, has sparked a major political controversy by demanding that all 2028 Democratic presidential candidates pledge to demolish President Donald Trump’s newly announced White House Ballroom. His call for a ‘wreck, ball’ to the project has drawn sharp criticism from conservative lawmakers and media figures, with some calling the demand ‘deranged.’ The debate over the Trump ballroom has intensified political tensions, with Democrats criticizing the project as a symbol of corruption, while conservatives argue that it’s a private venture funded by Trump donors, not taxpayer money.
Swalwell’s call to action on X, where he posted, ‘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,’ has sparked a wave of backlash. Conservative lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz have called the demand ‘deranged,’ while others have pointed out the irony of the Democrats’ sudden interest in demolishing a part of the White House, given their previous criticism of the demolition of the East Wing.
The construction of the Trump Ballroom has already stirred a storm of criticism, with some Democrats like Elizabeth Warren using the project as a metaphor for the rising cost of living, humorously noting that ‘the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House’ would drown out concerns about soaring prices. Meanwhile, the White House has defended the project, stating it is privately funded and does not cost taxpayers. This ongoing debate has become a central issue in the political landscape, with both sides using it to highlight their ideological positions.