Trump buries midterm wipeout under praise for his White House ballroom and helipad

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday, November 4, used his first public appearance after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections to showcase progress on the construction of his White House ballroom, describing it as a “magnificent” addition to the presidential residence. 

Trump spent much of the event discussing renovation plans before finally addressing the Democrats' victories in the House and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections and acknowledging that the war with Iran had contributed to the Republican defeat.

Trump praises White House ballroom as ‘magnificent’ during construction ceremony

Trump signed the final steel beam for the ballroom alongside construction workers and officials before watching it being lifted into position by a crane. The president then described the structure as exceptionally strong and said its design incorporated security considerations for the president.

“It's going to be the most beautiful ballroom I think anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “They've been trying to get it for 150 years. The steel is just almost being finished."

Trump announced that the ballroom is "free" and that "it is for the country," while maintaining that the construction is being carried out by "some great patriots who donated a lot of money" and reaffirming that the administration "did not use taxpayers' money."

"Just this whole magnificent space will be a very important space in the future life of our country," he stated.

Trump also discussed plans to install Corinthian columns and marble flooring inside the ballroom, claiming that the marble came from a quarry owner who had previously declined to sell it. He further promoted other projects, including a new helipad on the White House's North Lawn, a proposed National Garden of American Heroes, and plans to develop East Potomac Golf Links into an 18-hole championship golf course.

The president spent approximately 25 minutes talking about the construction and renovation projects before taking questions about the election results.

Trump defends Iran war despite GOP election losses

When questioned about Vice President JD Vance's assessment that the Iran conflict contributed to Republican defeats, Trump said that he largely agreed that the war had affected voters through higher fuel prices. “I think it’s largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term,” he said.

However, the Republican leader still maintained that the military operation was necessary and said that he would make the same decision again. “But at the same time, if I had it to do again, I’d have to do it again because long term, it’s the only answer. You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” the president replied. 

Trump also rejected suggestions that he was responsible for the scale of the Republican losses, saying that his campaign rallies had attracted strong support but that it had not translated into votes for Republican candidates. “There was such love at those rallies; it was incredible. We weren’t able to transfer the love to candidates,” he said.

Trump said he expected to work with Democrats when the new Congress convenes on January 3, while warning that cooperation would depend on their approach. “I’ll get along probably with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive,” he said. The 80-year-old also pointed to his veto authority, saying, “But I have the power of the veto.”