A new “litmus test” appears to have emerged for Democrats already musing about President Donald Trump’s exit from the White House — one that puts the president’s White House ballroom project at the center of a pivotal question, NOTUS reported Friday.
“Should a Democratic president bulldoze Trump’s ballroom?” the report asks, noting it had “already split” the 2028 Democratic presidential field.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who’s frequently named as among the top Democratic presidential contenders for 2028, was vague with his answer when posed with the question.
“I imagine that’s going to be one of those little litmus-test things that everyone’s going to have to commit to,” Newsom told NOTUS. “But destruction is not strength. We have to be builders. What’s destroyed can’t be replaced, so even if you tore it down again, what do you rebuild in its place?”
Others, such as Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), were far more explicit with their response.
“I think we have to be ready to really wipe out any of the illegal acts that this president has done, and that includes any of these architectural enhancements,” Gallego said.
Labeled by NOTUS as the “Tear-Down Caucus,” those advocating for Trump’s ballroom to be demolished once he vacates the White House currently have just two members: Gallego and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
The alternative, labeled by NOTUS as the “Remodel Caucus” – those advocating for the ballroom to instead be repurposed – includes Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“If they build something stupid, maybe the best thing we can do is reuse it for something better,” Buttigieg told NOTUS.
An overwhelming number of Americans disapprove of Trump’s ballroom, with 56% against the project per a poll released last October, a disdain that has remained steady as of April.