Trump talks up his ballroom plan dozens of times but plays down Americans' economic pain
President Trump has been promoting his ballroom project while downplaying the economic struggles faced by Americans due to rising gas prices. Critics within his party express concern that his focus on the ballroom is out of touch with voters' priorities ahead of the midterm elections. Despite raising significant funds for the project, many Republican lawmakers are urging him to shift his attention back to economic issues.
- ▪Trump has mentioned the ballroom project over 40 times this year, highlighting its importance to him.
- ▪Republican lawmakers are worried that the ballroom focus is a distraction from pressing economic concerns.
- ▪The Secret Service has requested $1 billion in taxpayer money for security enhancements related to the ballroom.
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Trump talks up his ballroom plan dozens of times but plays down Americans' economic painSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 24, 2026, 06:08 PMUpdated May 24, 2026, 06:08 PMWASHINGTON, May 24 - Standing in front of the White House ballroom construction site, U.S. President Donald Trump appealed for patience from Americans struggling with soaring gas prices as he sought to justify the cost of a project critics call a vanity effort."This is peanuts," he said on Tuesday in an apparent reference to the economic damage inflicted on the U.S. by the Iran war. "I appreciate everybody putting up with it for a little while.
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