Lara Trump, wife of former President Donald Trump, took to her ‘My View’ segment on ‘Fox & Friends First’ to blast Rep. Eric Swalwell’s call for Democratic presidential candidates in 2028 to commit to demolishing the Trump White House ballroom. Trump described the demand as ‘ridiculous,’ arguing that the ballroom is a necessary and overdue enhancement to the White House, which she claims should be admired rather than attacked. ‘Everybody should be happy about this [the ballroom],’ she said, ‘but of course, that’s Eric Swalwell.’
The California Democrat’s recent social media post has become a lightning rod for political debate, with Swalwell suggesting that any Democratic primary contender must pledge to tear down the $250 million expansion—a project expected to be completed within the next year. Trump, however, argued that the move is merely a political stunt, saying, ‘The only thing I’ll disagree with them on is that I don’t know when we’re going to see another Democrat as president, if this is the way the Democrats are behaving about a beautiful renovation that everyone should be able to enjoy that was long overdue and really necessary at the White House.’
Swalwell’s demand has sparked a broader conversation about the politicization of public infrastructure and the role of executive power in shaping the White House. While the Washington Post editorial board has supported the project, arguing that the ballroom would provide much-needed space for official events and state visits, Trump has continued to criticize the move as a partisan attack on Trump’s legacy. The ballroom, which will replace the East Wing and adhere to a classical design, is being financed by Trump and private donors, with construction beginning this month. Critics have raised concerns about the cost and the implications of a private entity funding a state project, but Trump has defended it as a necessary investment in the nation’s capital.
Democrats have been vocal in their opposition to the project, with some members of the party arguing that the ballroom is a symbol of Trump’s excesses and a misallocation of public resources. However, the recent support from the Washington Post editorial board has added a layer of complexity to the debate. Trump, in response, has suggested that the Democratic Party may not produce a viable presidential candidate in 2028, citing the party’s perceived hostility toward the project. ‘That’s amazing… they’re exactly right,’ she said, referring to the editorial board’s support. ‘But the only thing I’ll disagree with them on is that I don’t know when we’re going to see another Democrat as president, if this is the way the Democrats are behaving about a beautiful renovation that everyone should be able to enjoy that was long overdue and really necessary at the White House.’
The controversy reflects a broader tension within American politics, where public projects are increasingly seen as tools for political messaging. As the 2028 election cycle approaches, the debate over the Trump White House ballroom is likely to remain a focal point in the Democratic Party’s internal dynamics. Whether the project is seen as a legitimate enhancement to the White House or a symbol of Trump’s controversial legacy will continue to shape political discourse in the coming months, with both parties vying for control over the narrative.