Trump defends White House ballroom amid gas price concerns

President Donald Trump has appealed for patience from Americans facing high gas prices while defending the cost of a new White House ballroom, a project that has drawn criticism from both political parties. Speaking at the construction site on Tuesday, the president described the economic impact of the ongoing war with Iran as "peanuts" and asked the public to bear with the situation a little while longer.

The moment has intensified concerns among some Republicans that the president's focus on the ballroom appears out of touch with voters struggling with economic pressures ahead of the November midterm elections. A review of the president's public comments indicates he has mentioned the ballroom at least 40 times this year, a figure that surpasses the 35 times he referenced it in all of 2025. He frequently promotes the project in speeches, to reporters, and on his social media platform.

A White House official defended the initiative, stating it is about legacy, not vanity, and that the president is deeply passionate about completing it. However, as fuel costs have risen, the president has repeatedly minimized the war's economic toll. Earlier this month, he stated he does not...