Topline
President Donald Trump called for Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough to be fired on Wednesday after her ruling over the weekend complicated Republicans’ path to approving $1 billion in funding for Trump’s White House ballroom—his latest show of anger against any resistance to his controversial pet project.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside posters of his proposed White House ballroom amid construction at the White House on May 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Senate parliamentarian ruled this week that taxpayer funds in the budget reconciliation package cannot be used for a $1 billion provision intended to fund security for Trump’s White House ballroom. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Key Facts
Trump questioned why MacDonough, a nonpartisan Senate referee, has not been replaced, and accused Republicans of playing a “very soft game compared to the Dumocrats [sic],” including allowing “the Elizabeth MacDonoughs of the World to stay in power, and brutalize us,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump didn’t mention the ballroom in the post, but criticized MacDonough and Republicans over his voter ID bill, which has been stalled in the Senate after MacDonough ruled it can’t be passed by a simple majority through the budget reconciliation process and would instead be subject to the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
MacDonough made the same ruling regarding a request for funding for Trump’s ballroom project over the weekend.
Trump also repeated his call for Republicans to eliminate the filibuster.
Trump predicted that if the SAVE America Act, which requires proof-of-citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, doesn’t pass, then Democrats will have a significant advantage over Republicans in future elections and he also said Democrats would eliminate the filibuster if they regained control of the Senate.
Trump wrongly said MacDonough was appointed by former President Barack Obama (Senate parliamentarians are hired by the Senate Secretary, who is elected by the Senate, and serve at the pleasure of the majority leader).
Crucial Quote
“The ballroom is being built. I’m building the ballroom. It’s a military complex,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “The roof is a drone port. It’s a strong military position for our people.”
What To Watch For
Senate Republicans have said they’re revising the legislation to make it easier for the ballroom funding to be included. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Punchbowl on Wednesday when asked if the ballroom funding would survive, that it’s “still being discussed.” Even if the Senate is allowed to vote for the ballroom funding under a simple majority, some Republicans could block it as at least five have said they either won’t vote for the funding without more information or have expressed serious reservations about doing so.
Tangent
Trump reportedly urged Thune to fire MacDonough after her Saturday ruling on the ballroom funding, NOTUS reported, citing two unnamed sources. Thune told NOTUS he would not entertain the idea of firing MacDonough, but would not say whether Trump asked him to. “We’re going through a process that we go through every time we have a reconciliation bill, and the people on both sides are mad at the parliamentarian,” Thune said.
Key Background
Senate Republicans on the Judiciary Committee proposed including an additional $1 billion in funding for the Secret Service in a broader $72 billion immigration-enforcement package. The White House has said $220 million would be used for security enhancements in the White House East Wing, including an underground bunker complex. Trump initially said the ballroom would cost $200 million, funded by private donations, but has gradually doubled the price tag. Trump has also lashed out at U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for ordering the project to be halted unless it’s approved by Congress. An appeals court overruled Leon, temporarily, and said construction could continue to give the Trump administration time to appeal the ruling.
Further Reading
Trump’s $1 Billion Ballroom Funding Faces First Vote Test Today—But These Republicans Could Block It (Forbes)
Trump’s Other ‘Vanity Projects’ Will Cost $162.5 Million—In Addition To $1.4 Billion Ballroom Possibly Funded By Taxpayers (Forbes)
Trump Claims Ballroom Project Is ‘Under Budget’ Despite $1 Billion Request (Forbes)
Trump Says U.S. Should Have A Ballroom Like China—Says It’ll Open In September 2028 (Forbes)
