Trump claims White House ballroom built with nuclear-grade concrete to deter demolition

President Trump told New York Magazine that the White House ballroom is built with the toughest steel and concrete employed in nuclear power facilities, claiming it could withstand prolonged jackhammer attacks without damage. The half-completed venue, slated to feature a grand staircase, movie theater and kitchen, moved forward after a Supreme Court approval last week. Critics, especially Democrats, point to the $400 million price tag as evidence of Trump’s disconnect from ordinary voters and fear it may hurt the party’s prospects in the November midterms.

A July one outlet/Ipsos poll showed 65 % of respondents were upset or dissatisfied with the ballroom and related projects. If Democrats regain House control, they are expected to launch investigations into the funding and possible “pay-for-play” concerns surrounding private donations for the construction.