Dem senator suggests renaming Trump WH ballroom after Obama
President Trump is envisioning a ritzy ballroom for foreign leaders where the East Wing used to be. The White House
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona took a jab at President Trump on Sunday over the new White House ballroom project, joking that Democrats should name it after Barack Obama if they return to power.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Gallego was asked if Democrats would consider tearing down the new ballroom once they’re back in office.
“No,” he replied. “I think to really mess with [Trump], just name it the Barack Obama Ballroom.”
President Trump, speaking Friday before departing for Asia, dismissed rumors that he planned to name the grand, gold-accented ballroom after himself.
“I don’t have any plan to call it after myself — that was fake news,” he told reporters. “We’re probably going to call it the Presidential Ballroom or something like that. We haven’t really thought about a name yet.”
Trump has long supported the idea of a White House ballroom. During the Obama administration, he publicly offered $100 million of his own money to build one but was dismissed at the time. Now in his second term, he’s moving forward with the plan.
Construction crews recently began demolishing the East Wing — the section traditionally associated with the first lady’s offices — to make way for the new structure. The East Wing dates back to the early 1900s and was expanded under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Trump has said the new ballroom will be built “near” the existing White House, not attached to it, to preserve the original building’s integrity.
“It’ll be near it but not touching it,” he explained in July.
The project, estimated to cost $300 million, will create a lavish venue capable of hosting up to 900 guests. The president is reportedly helping to fund construction personally, alongside several private donors.
Trump has argued that a ballroom is essential for the United States to host major diplomatic events without relying on temporary outdoor tents.
Despite Democratic criticism, some former officials from both the Obama and Biden administrations have privately acknowledged that the White House has long needed a formal indoor event space, according to a Washington Post editorial.
Still, Gallego accused Trump of focusing on aesthetics instead of pressing national issues.
“First of all, he should not have done that. It’s the people’s house,” Gallego said. “Number two, where is the president? He’s focused on the ballroom, on everything except what’s happening right now.”
Gallego, who has fueled speculation about a 2028 presidential run, said his attention remains on domestic priorities for now.
“First, I’ve got to take care of three kids and deal with getting us through 2026 — bringing inflation down and making sure 24 million Americans don’t see their insurance rates double starting November 1st,” he said. “After that, maybe I’ll start thinking about something like that.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.
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