Trump downplays midterms horror show in first public appearance focused on his White House vanity projects

Donald Trump focused on his lavish White House ballroom in his first public appearance since Democrats seized control of the House and Senate.

The President largely ignored the disastrous midterm results that have left his political legacy in jeopardy, instead showing off the construction of his $600million vanity project to reporters on Wednesday morning.

Just hours earlier, Trump had admitted that the Iran war and soaring gas prices had contributed to the Republicans' crushing defeat.

As Republicans blamed Trump for devastating losses across the country and questioned whether the MAGA era was coming to an end, he chose to sign a steel beam destined for what he claims will be the most 'beautiful' ballroom in the world.

Trump invited the press to view his ongoing construction efforts and spoke at length about the progress on his personal vanity projects.

'It's going to be not only one of the biggest, but it'll be the most beautiful ballroom, I think, anywhere in the world,' he said.

Trump displayed a large piece of steel behind him, where workers had signed it as it was going to be the last steel beam used in construction. 

He also signed the beam, placing his personal stamp on the project as a group of White House staffers and workers applauded.  

President Donald Trump emerged from the White House after a blistering election night for Republicans

Trump speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom at the White House

Just as Trump focused on his legacy of improving Washington, DC, monuments and parks the day before the election at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, he spent the day after the elections highlighting his ongoing construction projects.

'This is the capital of our country, we have to make it beautiful and we have to make it safe,' he said. 

Trump said he found the projects personally rewarding as he focused on making the White House more beautiful.

'I like it, it's good. For me it's relaxing,' he said. 'I like beautiful things.'

He previewed the installation of 'magnificent columns' that would be the 'creme de la creme' in the Corinthian design.

Trump gave reporters a tour of the structure, commenting on the process as workers raised the last beam of steel into the ceiling. 

'Envision chandeliers all over the ceiling, envision marble floors, this is going to be the most beautiful room,' he said, describing it as '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 described the new building as 'droneproof' and 'bulletproof.'

'This is the safest place in Washington,' Trump added. 'You can just sit here and just let people do whatever they want.'

He said the ballroom would hold up to 2,500 guests and that it would include infrastructure underneath the White House for five floors of infrastructure. 

'This has been a dream for 150 years,' he said, adding that the building would include over 100 drones for defense purposes. 

Trump mused about his legacy as a builder, recalling that it was a part of who he was.

The marble he said was 'really magnificent' and cut from a very special vein of marble that was jealously protected by the owner.

'He liked me and also he was so honored to be doing it for the country and the White House,' he said.

Trump said that the kitchen was underneath the ballroom, not on the main floor or on the side.

Trump signs a steel beam as he speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom

Workers lift the last large beam of steel into the ceiling of the White House ball room 

'It's going to be top-of-the-line,' he added.

'You got it free of charge, thank you very much,' he said, referring to the multiple private donors to the project. 

Trump recalled spending time in the Great Hall of China during a visit and said his project would be even grander.

'Top-of-the-line, great architects,' he said.

After the event, Trump spoke about the election results with reporters.

He said that it was 'largely true' that the Iran war was responsible for Republican losses in the midterms, but defended his decision to go to war.

'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 that he was aware of Vice President JD Vance's post on social media blaming the Iran war for Republican losses in the midterms.

'I know how he feels about it. I think it was fine,' Trump said.

He demurred on reporter questions about the next presidential campaigns in 2028. 

'You don't know who's talking about running, maybe you're going to have a lot of people running, maybe nobody's going to run. Maybe he won't run. I don't know who is going to run,' 

He said he would end the war 'whenever I want it to' but that it would 'have to be done right.'   

He also denied considering replacing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after the election.

'No, I think he's doing a very good job,' he said.

After the event, Trump offered to continue the tour of his upgrades to the White House grounds.  

'Bring the cameras over, let me show you the helipad,' he said.