President Donald Trump emerged from the White House residence Tuesday for the first time since a bruising Election Night for Republicans.
He invited reporters to tour the ongoing construction at the White House and spoke at length about his efforts to transform the building and other sites across Washington, DC.
“This is a special structure. It will be the most beautiful ballroom in the entire world,” Trump said.
Behind the president, workers displayed a large steel beam covered with their signatures. It was set to become the final beam installed in the project.
Trump added his own signature before the beam was raised, putting a personal mark on the construction as White House staff members and workers applauded.
A day earlier, Trump had highlighted his vision for Washington’s monuments and parks during a visit to the Lincoln Memorial. The day after the election, he again turned the spotlight to his construction projects and broader plans for the capital.
“This is the capital of our country. We have to make it beautiful, and we have to make it safe,” he said.
Trump described the work as personally rewarding, saying he was focused on making the White House more attractive and impressive.
President Donald Trump emerged from the White House after a bruising Election Night for Republicans
President Donald Trump speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom at the White House
“I like it. It’s good. For me, it’s relaxing,” he said. “I like beautiful things.”
He previewed plans for “magnificent columns” that would serve as the “crème de la crème” of the ballroom’s Corinthian design.
As workers lifted the final steel beam into position, Trump led reporters through the structure and offered a running commentary on the project.
“Envision chandeliers all over the ceiling. Envision marble floors. This is going to be the most beautiful room,” he said, calling the space “a piece of art.”
“See the thickness and size of that steel? You can land anything on that roof, but it will be all drones,” Trump added.
He also characterized the building as both “drone-proof” and “bulletproof.”
“This is the safest place in Washington,” Trump said. “You can just sit here and let people do whatever they want.”
Trump said the ballroom would accommodate as many as 2,500 guests and include five floors of infrastructure beneath the White House.
“This has been a dream for 150 years,” he said.
He added that more than 100 drones would be incorporated into the building’s defense systems.
The president also reflected on his identity as a builder, describing construction as a central part of his personal legacy.
Trump praised the marble selected for the project as “really magnificent,” saying it came from a particularly valuable vein that its owner had closely guarded.
“He liked me, and he was also so honored to be doing it for the country and the White House,” Trump said.
He explained that the kitchen would be located beneath the ballroom rather than on top or to the side.
President Donald Trump signs a steel beam while speaking at the East Wing ballroom construction site
President Donald Trump spoke at length about the ballroom project under construction at the White House
“It’s going to be top of the line,” he said.
“You got it free of charge, thank you very much,” Trump said, referring to the private donors funding the project.
Trump recalled visiting China’s “Great Hall” and said his own project would be even more ambitious.
“Top of the line, great architects,” he said.
Following the event, Trump turned to questions about the election results and Republican losses.
He said it was “largely true” that the war with Iran had contributed to the Republican setbacks in the midterms, while defending his decision to launch the conflict.
“If I had to do it again, I’d have to do it again. I had no choice … You can’t have Iran get a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
The president said he knew about Vice President JD Vance’s social media post attributing Republican losses to the Iran war.
“I know how he feels about it. I think it was fine,” Trump said.
He said he would end the war “whenever I want it to,” but added that any resolution “would have to be done right.”
Trump also rejected reports that he was considering replacing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after the election.
“No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” he said.
Before leaving, Trump offered to continue showing reporters the improvements underway on the White House grounds.
“Bring the cameras over. Let me show you the helipad,” he said.