A recent poll has revealed that only one in three Americans supports President Donald Trump's controversial plan to demolish the East Wing of the White House and construct a lavish new ballroom. The $400 million extension, which has already seen the first lady's offices bulldozed, is a passion project for Trump in his second term, but public enthusiasm remains tepid.
Polling Data and Public Sentiment
According to the latest Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey, just 28 percent of respondents expressed support for the development. In contrast, 56 percent opposed it outright, while 16 percent remained undecided. These figures have remained largely unchanged since the question was last posed in October.
The poll, conducted from April 24-28, also highlighted a stark partisan divide. Only 4 percent of self-identifying Democrats backed the ballroom, with 87 percent opposed. Among Republicans, 65 percent were in favor, while 20 percent objected.
Impact of Recent Security Incident
The survey period included the aftermath of an attempted attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where a would-be gunman was subdued by Secret Service agents. Trump and his Republican allies seized on the incident to argue for resuming ballroom construction, claiming it would provide a more secure venue for high-profile events.
However, overground building work remains stalled due to a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that construction cannot proceed without congressional authorization. Despite pressure from the Department of Justice to drop the suit following the WHCD attack, the trust has refused to budge.
“We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the administration to follow the law,” said Carol Quillen, the trust's president and CEO.
Funding and Other Projects
The ballroom's cost was initially expected to be covered by wealthy private donors. However, new legislation introduced by Republican senators Lindsey Graham, Katie Britt, and Eric Schmitt would shift the financial burden to taxpayers if passed.
Trump remains undeterred by the lack of public support, frequently touting the project as a long-overdue necessity for hosting dignitaries and state occasions. The poll also revealed limited enthusiasm for other Trump initiatives: only 21 percent backed his proposed 250-foot arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, with 52 percent opposed. Even less popular was his plan to feature his likeness on U.S. currency, which garnered just 12 percent support against 68 percent opposition.
Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, a vocal critic of Trump's branding efforts, commented: “It’s astonishing what’s going on. He has no respect for anybody, any memory, any history. It’s all about him.”
