Trump's first appearance since midterms at ballroom construction site
Updated Nov. 4, 2026, 2:25 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump made his first public appearance amid mounting midterm losses at the White House ballroom construction site on Nov. 4, 2026. Trump sought to distance himself from Republicans', declaring in his first remarks on the election results that his party would have been victorious had he been on the ballot.
"I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!" Trump wrote on social media.
MANDEL NGAN, AFP Via Getty Images"I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!" Trump wrote on social media.
President Donald Trump signs a steel beam as he speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2026. Democrats seized control of the US Congress on November 3, capturing the Senate and House of Representatives. The Democratic landslide will give the opposition power to block legislation, launch broad investigations into Trump's administration and thwart his judicial and senior government appointments.
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U.S. President Donald Trump is reflected in the sunglasses of a construction worker.
"I'm doing it because the White House is the ultimate symbol of America," Trump said, though he also acknowledged that his love for construction projects has something to do with his fixation. "To me, it's relaxing. For somebody else, it's the opposite."
Andrew Harnik, Getty Images"I'm doing it because the White House is the ultimate symbol of America," Trump said, though he also acknowledged that his love for construction projects has something to do with his fixation. "To me, it's relaxing. For somebody else, it's the opposite."
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) speaks during an event at the site of the East Wing ballroom.
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Executive assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump Natalie Harp looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the site of the White House ballroom.
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President Donald Trump stops to speak to reporters after delivering remarks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom.
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President Donald Trump speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2026. Also pictured, US secretary of Interior Doug Burgum (2R).
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U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R) speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during an event at the site of the White House ballroom.
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President Donald Trump signs a steel beam as he speaks at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom.
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