Demand Progress

Trump and his MAGA lackeys in Congress promised that not a cent of taxpayer money would go toward the grotesque White House ballroom. Now, Trump is urging Congress to hand him $1 billion for this obscene vanity project as part of a $70 billion funding bill for ICE.^1,2

The WH ballroom, which is deeply unpopular with voters, could unravel the whole funding bill. Several Republicans have expressed concerns over going back on promises to privately fund the ballroom. "I think the timing and the optics are really bad," said GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.³

Trump set a June 1 deadline for the ICE funding bill to pass with $1 billion for the ballroom.⁴ Congress must deny ICE billions in additional tax dollars and stop the agency's lawless mass deportation program, and deny Trump his billion for redesigning the White House.

Sign the petition: Block taxpayer funding for ICE terror and Trump's vanity projects!

Congress gave ICE a historic $75 billion last year, which is why the agency has been able to continue its violent operations without additional funding this year.⁵

Congress must serve the people, not Trump's terror campaign and construction projects.

Sign the petition: Say NO to Trump's budget — reject funding for ICE and Trump's ballroom now!

Sources:

1. Senate Democrats, "In Their Own Words: After Trump Said Taxpayers Wouldn't Pay 'One Dime' For His Ballroom, Republicans Move To Stick Them With A $1 Billion Bill," May 13, 2026.
2. Common Dreams, "'A Moral Obscenity': Trump Budget Pairs Record Military Boost With Billions in Cuts to Social Programs," April 3, 2026.
3. NBC News, "Republicans propose $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to secure Trump ballroom," May 5, 2026.
4. Politico, "GOP leaders prepare to steamroll opponents of DHS funding plan," April 13, 2026.
5. NPR, "How a $75 billion windfall from Congress has insulated ICE," April 13, 2026.