Washington Post editorial board defends Trump's White House ballroom construction project

Fox News ^ | October 26, 2025 9:00pm EDT | Hanna Panreck

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The Washington Post editorial board defended President Donald Trump's ballroom construction on Sunday and argued that the next Democratic president would be happy to have the ballroom.

"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 board wrote.

Construction crews began demolition of the East Wing of the White House on Monday, which angered top Democrats and liberal media figures.

"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," the editorial board continued.

HILLARY CLINTON FIRES UP VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: 'NOT HIS HOUSE'

Figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Chelsea Clinton; and CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert accused Trump of dishonoring the White House after his construction crews bulldozed part of the East Wing of the building on Monday.

"The people’s house is basically being sold to the highest bidder," Jean-Pierre said on ABC’s "The View" on Tuesday. "It is corruption at its core."

The editors argued that the White House didn't need to jump through bureaucratic hoops for construction.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., argued that any Democrat running for president in 2028 needs to vow to destroy the ballroom on day one.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I’m sure Trump’s restrooms will be labeled “MEN” and “WOMEN”.

[Soul of the South]

It is ironic that Democrats who claim the wealthy don’t pay their “fair share” are complaining about the wealthy voluntarily funding a $200+ million public works project so taxpayer money doesn’t have to be spent.

[alancarp]

Amid all the criticism about this project, nobody seems to be deterred by the fact that — given the construction schedule — Trump may not even get a chance to use the new facilities.

[deks]

What construction schedule?

[Republican Wildcat]

The Dem and media narrative has essentially been that President Trump has torn down part of the historic White House. He has not. They apparently want people to believe "the East Wing" was the eastern side of the White House. It is not. The White House itself has not been touched. Granted, they don't explicitly say that, but that is clearly the inference they are trying to get people to believe that the grand White House we all know and love that George Washington had built has been destroyed / irrevocably altered in appearance. Did not happen and will not happen. It is not the first time things have been added on and removed and certainly won't be the last. But the main "White House" - the historic executive mansion - stays as it is.

North side of the White House current / North side of the White House 1861

South side of the White House current / South side of the White House 1846 (oldest known photo of the White House)

[texas booster]

Thanks for the photo evidence.

We knew they were crazy to use tents for entertaining dignitaries, but a basketball court and new underground facilities were more important to Obama.

[Republican Wildcat]

“current” does not mean those photos were taken today - but that part of the White House - the actual “house” - the historic executive mansion - is not being altered. Nobody even knows what the “east wing” looked like and it wasn’t part of the executive mansion.

[alancarp]

Estimated completion date (said to be ‘ambitious’) in Jan 2029.

[George Rockwell]

I read it’ll be finished around the end of his term or later.

[jacknhoo]

Swalwell is appearing like the complete idiot he is, pretending he has the power in the Democrat Party to determine winners and losers. No wonder China targeted him, it is clear for anyone paying attention he is weak minded and easily manipulated.

[DoughtyOne]

What I think is rather hilarious, is the democrats trying
to ding Trump supporters for gifting large sums to this
project.

Just asking myself, do I remember hearing any democrats
trashing Soros, his son, or a number of Socialist Foundations
for funding riots across the nation?

I don’t recall anyone complaining because they were trying
to install a communist government here also.

Special interests?????

[deks]

Wow, that would be great if he could host an event there before he leaves office in 2029!

If not, then a president Vance or Rubio would surely invite him back :)

[deks]

I read it’ll be finished around the end of his term or later.

Thanks, and welcome to Free Republic.

[wardaddy]

Hi George

Soon as Fresno sees that nick just getting my good bye in early lol

You got brass I’ll give u that

Made me chuckle out loud when I saw it

I thought well there’s a man likes to make a splash

[George Rockwell]

You’re very welcome.

[Pelham]

His namesake’s “compound” was at the end of the street that one of my friends lived on.

A car full of odd characters looking to join up once stopped to ask us for directions. Judging from their appearance, a UFO convention might well have been their second option if Rockwell didn’t take them in.

A current incarnation of that crowd might be attracted to Antifa or a Furry meet-up.

[ridesthemiles]

THE “PORTA POTTIES” FOR DIGNITARIES IS INEXCUSABLE.

JUST PLAIN TRASHY

[wardaddy]

Wasn’t he murdered by his own?

[Pelham]

He was. Right outside the pizza parlor owned by one of my classmates.

If you’d seen the characters attracted to his group you probably would have predicted that they were more dangerous to each other than to anyone else.