Setback for Trump: Senate won't pay for golden ballroom

©PA

The US Senate is tentatively putting a stop to $400 million in federal security funding for the majestic White House ballroom.

The construction of Trump's showpiece appears to be in jeopardy. After all, the US president has long dreamed of an ornate ballroom that would immortalize him in the White House. Demolition of the east wing of the White House began in October, and the plan was for construction of the ballroom to be completed by September 2028, at the end of Trump's second term. But that schedule now appears to be falling apart. Indeed, led by Democrats, the Senate has blocked funding, for now.

President Donald Trump's project is to be realized in part with $400 million in public money. And that is not to the liking of Democrats, who openly criticize the plan. According to Democrats, the plan to release public money to build the ballroom does not comply with budget rules. "Republicans wanted taxpayers to pay for Trump's billion-dollar ballroom," said Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer. So the funding was stopped in the Senate for now. Republicans can still amend the budget, though. Then it could possibly then still be approved by Elizabeth MacDonough, the Democratic Senate adviser who oversees complex Senate rules. However, Democrats indicate they will oppose the plans even in a subsequent vote.

The $400 million (about 350 million euros) is part of a larger $1 billion spending package of taxpayer money to be released for Trump's project. Although construction of the ballroom was planned to be funded by private donors, Republicans consider government money needed for ballroom security.

According to Trump, the ballroom will be "the most beautiful building of its kind in the world". It has become an important symbol within his presidency. But so far, for now, it has not come. The political wrangling continues.

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