Asking taxpayers to foot Trump ballroom bill is a huge misstep April 30, 2026 at 7:00 am Updated April 30, 2026 at 7:00 am Less than 48 hours after an attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, some Republicans in Congress asked that the president’s proposed ballroom, now with a price tag of $400 million, be paid for with tax dollars instead of private donations as a national security need. Both funding sources are ridiculous, but putting the burden squarely on the backs of regular taxpayers is downright offensive. Trump said the ballroom is needed to provide more space and better security for official affairs of state at The White House. Some Washington insiders agree that it is challenging to hold large dinners and events in the East Room and other spaces, but other presidents have made it work.  Under the Trump administration’s order, the entire East Wing of The White House was demolished to make room for the president’s planned 90,000- square-foot ballroom.…