{"id":2599589,"date":"2026-05-06T16:39:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T20:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-eye-midterm-opening-in-trump-ballroom-security-fight\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T16:44:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T20:44:46","slug":"democrats-eye-midterm-opening-in-trump-ballroom-security-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-eye-midterm-opening-in-trump-ballroom-security-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats eye midterm opening in Trump ballroom security fight"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-eye-midterm-opening-in-trump-ballroom-security-fight%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599589&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>democrats are criticizing a Republican plan to include $1 billion in federal funding for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/does-grassleys-spending-bill-give-trump-1-billion-for-the-white-house-ballroom\/\" title=\"Does Grassley&#039;s spending bill give Trump ... for the ... ballroom?\">security upgrades tied<\/a> to President Donald Trump\u2019s White House ballroom project. The money is described as support for the \u201cEast Wing Modernization Project,\u201d specifically \u201csecurity adjustments and upgrades\u201d both above and below ground, and the legislation says it cannot be used for non-security components.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic leaders say the provision is potent midterm messaging, arguing Republicans are using taxpayer dollars to benefit Trump\u2019s expansion plans while voters are focused on cost-of-living concerns. They may attempt to challenge parts of the broader immigration enforcement package under budget rules, though the ballroom-related funding may be less likely to be targeted because it could put some Republicans in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >politically arduous spot close<\/a> to the election.<\/p>\n<p>Some conservatives have defended the proposal, including citing White House security concerns after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iraqi-govt-blames-shiite-groups-for-botched-attack-on-prime-minister-2\/\" title=\"Iraqi Govt. blames Shi\u2019ite groups for botched attack on prime minister\">recent assassination attempt<\/a>. The White House has praised the funding effort, and Trump has addressed the ballroom\u2019s rising projected cost, but did not directly address the proposed $1 billion in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jeffries-blames-house-gop-for-blocking-dhs-funding-over-ice\/\" title=\"Jeffries blames House GOP for blocking DHS ... over ICE\">federal security funding<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Democrats are eyeing a midterm messaging weapon in a Republican proposal to use <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4555036\/does-grassley-spending-bill-give-trump-1-billion-for-ballroom\/\">$1 billion in federal funds<\/a> for security upgrades tied to President Donald Trump\u2019s planned <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4556952\/trump-defends-bigger-better-ballroom\/\">White House ballroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed funding does not appear to be for the construction of the ballroom itself, which Trump has repeatedly said would be financed through personal contributions and private donors. Instead, the funding is earmarked for security-related upgrades connected to the project, formally known as the \u201cEast Wing Modernization Project,\u201d the ballroom construction\u2019s official name. GOP lawmakers are poised to include the money in a broader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4551691\/tensions-john-thune-mike-johnson-loom-gop-immigration-push\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4551691\/tensions-john-thune-mike-johnson-loom-gop-immigration-push\/\">party-line $70 billion immigration enforcement package<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4557093\/trump-indiana-trouble-massie-cassidy-election\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump\u2019s Indiana victory spells trouble for Massie and Cassidy election survival<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4557215\/tennessee-gop-release-new-congressional-map\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tennessee GOP releases new congressional map that splits up blue hubs<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4557004\/byron-york-trump-derangement-syndrome-big-part-left-wing-senate-run\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Byron York: \u2018Trump derangement syndrome a big part\u2019 of left-wing Senate run<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Democrats see the issue as potent political messaging ahead of the midterms, arguing Republicans are effectively using taxpayer money to support Trump\u2019s White House expansion plans while voters remain concerned about costs and affordability.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cIf you are mad about Republicans\u2019 shoveling $1 BILLION at Trump\u2019s ballroom\u2014as you should be!\u2014just remember: Trump is asking them to blow 1500x times that amount on his war budget,\u201d tweeted Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) similarly accused Republicans of being \u201con a different planet than American families.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRepublicans looked at families drowning in bills and decided what they really needed was more raids and a Trump ballroom,\u201d Schumer said.<\/p>\n<p>A portion of the immigration funding bill released by the Senate Judiciary Committee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grassley.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/reconciliation_-_senate_judiciary_committee_title.pdf\">states<\/a> that $1 billion is to be spent on \u201csecurity adjustments and upgrades\u201d for the \u201cEast Wing Modernization Project.\u201d Those upgrades include \u201cabove-ground and below-ground security features.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The legislation, however, states that \u201cNone of the funds made available under this section may be used for non-security elements of the East Wing Modernization Project.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are expected to challenge portions of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-gop-sen-capito-talk-infrastructure-deal\/\" title=\"Biden, GOP Sen. Capito Talk Infrastructure Deal\">broader package<\/a> under the so-called Byrd Rule, which governs spending restrictions in such budget reconciliation measures. But the ballroom-related funding is not likely to be a prime target, given the awkward position it could put some Republicans in just months out from the midterms.<\/p>\n<p>Some Republicans could seek to strip out the provision, but several conservatives, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have advocated for the use of federal funding after the latest Trump assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents\u2019 Association dinner. The White House said it \u201capplauds\u201d Congress for the proposed funding, adding that Republicans \u201crightly recognized the need for these funds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump defended the rising $400 million price tag of the ballroom on Wednesday, but did not address the proposed $1 billion in federal funding for security.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4543583\/trump-dinner-shooting-white-house-ballroom\/\">TRUMP SAYS DINNER SHOOTING JUSTIFIES WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM: \u2018CANNOT BE BUILT FAST ENOUGH\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe only reason the cost has changed is because, after deep rooted studies, it is approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal, which would not have been adequate to handle the necessary events, meetings, and even future Inaugurations,\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116527410501835336\">said on Truth Social<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe original price was 200 Million Dollars, the double sized, highest quality completed project will be something less than 400 Million Dollars,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt will be magnificent, safe, and secure! This was a necessary change, it was done long ago, but the Fake News failed to report it, trying to make it look like there was a cost overrun. Actually, it is coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats may use GOP $1B White House ballroom security funds as midterm messaging weapon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2599590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26125744050212.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651],"tags":[35835,3685,7408,3646,3634],"class_list":["post-2599589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-strategy","tag-democrats","tag-midterms","tag-security","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26125744050212.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599589"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599593,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599589\/revisions\/2599593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}