In a bold move, a Democratic figure from California is urging future presidential candidates to take decisive action against a controversial project associated with former President Donald Trump. Eric Swalwell has called on those eyeing the 2028 presidential race to commit to demolishing Trump’s $250 million golden ballroom on their first day in office.

Swalwell’s appeal aims particularly at Democrats who are contemplating a bid for the presidency. He is adamant that they should take a firm stance against the ballroom, a lavish project currently under construction, financed by private donors.

Through a post on X, Swalwell asserted, “Don’t even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE.” This statement underscores his firm opposition to the project, which he perceives as a symbol of Trump’s legacy.

As an alternative, Swalwell suggested that if candidates are reluctant to tear it down, they could instead opt to rename it. He proposed the name ‘Barack Obama Ballroom’ in response to reports that Trump intends to christen the venue as ‘The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.’

“A Trump monument to corruption will not stand,” Swalwell declared, reiterating his determination to see the project dismantled or rebranded as a repudiation of Trump’s influence.

Trump began demolition work on the century-old East Wing of the White House last week to pave the way for his grand new ballroom.

Critics argued Swalwell’s demands are emblematic of the wider problem within the Democratic Party, which is more focused on tearing down Trump than improving the lives of hardworking Americans. 

‘Great. Incur unnecessary expenses for show. That’s what we expect from Democrats,’ one critic told Swalwell.

Demolition is already underway with the East Wing being torn down to pave the way for Trump’s grand new ballroom

The project is expected to be completed long before the end of Trump’s term 

Eric Swalwell demanded fellow Democrats considering running in the next election take a firm stand against the ballroom, which is already under construction and has been funded by private donors

‘Imagine being elected to the House of Representatives and making this your priority,’ another wrote.

‘I can’t believe you think that is a winning message. But in fantasy Democrat land, that’s a winning strategy,’ a third added.

‘Great idea – tear down a brand new addition – worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Pure genius here!’

Swalwell’s fury comes as Hillary Clinton went ballistic over Trump’s plans to construct the ballroom. The former secretary of state, first lady and presidential candidate – who lost to Trump in 2016 – lashed out on Tuesday. 

‘It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,’ the ex-Senator wrote on X, including a screenshot of a Washington Post story about the remodel.

The White House responded to the outrage later in the day.

‘President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense,’ spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News.

‘These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the People’s House.’

Trump announced in July plans to build a grand, 25,000 square feet ballroom to accommodate state dinners and other formal events.

Renderings show a lavish design – crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and gold inlays – reflecting the opulent aesthetic of the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

The new ballroom is to be privately funded, with Trump chipping in himself.

Donors include Silicon Valley titans, Apple and Google, defense behemoth Lockheed Martin, and telecom provider, T-Mobile.

The East Wing, in its original form, was constructed in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt’s tenure, initially as a small structure that served as the public entrance.

It has since been expanded and modified, notably with the addition of a second story in 1942 to provide offices for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her staff.

The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on October 22 

Trump’s large American flag can be seen in the background as workers tear down the White House’s East Wing on Monday to make room for the $250 million White House ballroom project

Trump held a glitzy White House dinner with billionaires and company executives who are bankrolling the ballroom.

Among the guests were oil baron Harold Hamm, Blackstone chief executive Steve Schwarzman, and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

‘We’re here to celebrate you, because you have given a tremendous amount of money to see a ballroom built,’ he told the cheering crowd on Wednesday.

‘In between China, Russia, everything else that we deal with, it’s going to be a great ballroom… It is starting right behind us.’

Trump opened the gold curtains behind him to unveil the construction site.

‘It will be demolished,’ he said. ‘Everything out there is coming down and it will be replaced by the most beautiful ballroom.’

Days after demolition began, Trump snapped at a reporter who asked whether he’d been transparent about his plans, given the revelation that the East Wing was being torn down.

Trump also explained his reasoning for destroying the historic building, telling reporters that ‘in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure’

‘I’ve shown this to everyone who would listen,’ Trump said after holding up renderings showing the proposed ballroom. ‘Third-rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look.’  

Trump also explained his reasoning for destroying the historic building, telling reporters that ‘in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.’

He added that he ‘never thought of [it] as being much’ and said the second-story of the East Wing ‘was not particularly nice.’