'It's always about what he wants': Brad Schneider slams Trump for making a case for his ballroom

In the wake of the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Republicans have increasingly pushed President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project as vital to national security. However, Democrats have hit back at the claims, pointing out how Trump has ignored key issues of Americans to spend millions on his "vanity project." U.S. Representative Brad Schneider recently expressed that every incident somehow turns about what Trump wants and not what the American people asked for or need at a time when prices continue to rise. 

On Saturday, a gunman ran through the security of the WHCD at the Washington Hilton hotel, allegedly to target top Trump officials. While the shooter was tackled before he could make it to the ballroom, the incident raised serious security concerns. Following the attack, top Republicans made a case for Trump's Ballroom project in the East Wing of the White House, claiming it was vital for national security. Sen. Lindsey Graham most recently said he, along with other Republicans, would push for a bill to fund the project using taxpayers' money, according to Reuters. 

The arguments were met with opposition from the Democrats, who claimed there were other pressing issues to focus on. "It's always about what Trump wants, what makes him more money, or what puts his name on another edifice. That's all the ballroom is," Rep. Schneider told Pablo Reports on Monday. The Democratic leader added that it's not what the "American people asked for or need when prices continue to rise." 

Schneider's comments come at a time when Americans are increasingly growing pessimistic about the economy. According to a recent Gallup survey, half of Americans 47% say the current economic conditions are "poor," while 73% feel the economy is getting worse. Another Fox News poll found 70% of registered voters saying the same about the economy. Despite Republicans trying to spin the economic narrative positively, most voters (56%) in the Fox News poll said Trump's policies were hurting the economy. With the ongoing war in Iran, global oil prices have skyrocketed, putting more strain on the pockets of Americans at the gas station.

The average price of gas per gallon currently sits at $4.11, up from $3.97 a month ago and significantly higher than last April's average of $3.14, according to the American Automobile Association. The latest CNBC All-America Economic survey of 1,000 people nationwide found that nearly 80% have changed their spending habits to cushion the bump at the gas station. Meanwhile, the President said last week that Americans should anticipate paying higher gas prices for a "little while" until a deal is made with Iran. Furthermore, while Trump campaigned heavily on the price of food in 2024, the sweeping emergency tariffs have pushed the prices of groceries up as well. According to NBC News' price tracker, the price of staples like orange juice and ground beef is up by 25% and 17%, respectively, compared to January 2025.