'Ballroom Republicans': Democrats bet on White House glitter to fuel midterm wave
Democrats are leveraging dissatisfaction with President Trump's extravagant White House renovations as a strategy for the midterm elections. They have coined the term 'Ballroom Republicans' to criticize GOP members for supporting costly projects while voters face rising gas prices and inflation. Polls indicate that a significant majority of voters oppose these lavish expenditures, presenting an opportunity for Democrats to rally support.
- ▪Gas prices have risen above $4.50 a gallon and inflation is at 3.8%.
- ▪A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 56% of voters oppose the ballroom project.
- ▪Senate Democrats are using the term 'Ballroom Republicans' to criticize GOP spending priorities.
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| Original publisher | The Washington Times |
| Canonical URL | https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/may/22/trumps-400m-ballroom-gilded-white-house-projects-explained-pays-whos/ |
| Publication time | Fri, 22 May 2026 18:09:00 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-22T23:07:03.465Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
With gas above $4.50 a gallon and inflation running at 3.8%, Democrats think they’ve found their midterm weapon: Donald Trump’s gold-plated White House. Senate Democrats have dubbed their GOP colleagues “Ballroom Republicans,” hoping the nickname sticks through November as voters sour on the president’s federal beautification push — a portfolio that includes a $400 million East Wing ballroom, a $250 million triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, a $40 million sculpture garden and a $13 million reflecting pool overhaul. “The American people now spend well over $32 billion more on gas and diesel since the beginning of this war, and this president is just continuing to put gold up all over the White House,” said Sen. Andy Kim, New Jersey Democrat.
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