Midterms 2026: Largely beaten, Donald Trump takes refuge in his ballroom

The day after the Republican defeat in the midterms, Donald Trump devoted his first public appearance to the future ballroom of the White House. On Wednesday, the journalists, summoned unexpectedly, were taken to the construction site of this extension. Presented as a tribute to the workers, the visit allowed the president to detail his construction choices, while the results of the vote and their political consequences dominated the questions.

Microphone in hand, despite a faulty sound system, the former real estate developer was very forthcoming about the characteristics of the building. “You can put as many helicopters as you want on the roof,” he said. He also described future glass walls as capable of resisting bullets, drones and even “small missiles”. “It’s thick like that,” he explained, spreading his hands, before adding: “but the vision is perfect.” These performances were put forward by the president without technical details during the visit.

Autograph, chandeliers and kitchen

In front of photographers, Donald Trump signed a massive beam intended to be installed at the top of the building, adding “Love! » above his name. “Look how the beam rises,” he then said between two questions about the elections. The 80-year-old president also spoke about the interior decoration: “Imagine the chandeliers everywhere, imagine the marble floor.” According to him, the marble comes from a “special vein” which the owner initially did not want to part with. “But he liked me,” he said to explain the sale.

Intended for receptions and gala dinners, the ballroom occupies the location of a wing of the White House that Donald Trump had demolished. His opponents criticize the lack of prior consultation and the opacity of financing, which they associate with the excesses of his mandate. The president, who claims expertise in architecture, also commented on the location of the kitchens. This construction should allow him to leave a lasting trace of his time at the White House. The visit finally gave the president the opportunity to present another project: an arch in Washington inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but which he wants “bigger” and “more beautiful”.

War in Iran and impeachment proceedings

Donald Trump, whose party is losing control of Congress against the backdrop of the war in Iran, only spoke about the Republican setbacks at the insistence of journalists. He was also questioned about the 2028 presidential election, in which he will not run, and about a possible impeachment procedure. Donald Trump thus warned Democrats that an impeachment procedure “would destroy the Democratic Party”, affirming that there was “no reason” to dismiss him, while the opposition must take control of Congress in early 2027.

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