Americans oppose Trump ballroom 2-to-1; even more oppose his signature on money: ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll

Americans are expressing strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s plans to tear down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom, according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll. The poll found that a majority of Americans oppose the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, with 56% against the project, 28% in support, and 15% unsure.

The Trump administration announced the construction of the ballroom in July 2025, with the promise that it would not interfere with the current building. However, demolition of the historic East Wing, built in 1902 and renovated in 1942, began in October. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to stop the construction, citing the need for a federal review process for such projects. Despite legal challenges, an appeals court panel allowed construction to proceed.

The poll results also revealed that Americans oppose the addition of Trump’s signature to paper currency by a significant margin of more than 5-to-1. Additionally, opposition to a proposed 250-foot arch was even stronger, with a wider margin of disapproval.

In response to the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, Trump has reiterated his desire for the ballroom, citing security concerns at the current venue. Republican support for the project increased after the incident, with 72% in favor of the construction.

The proposed ballroom, with a seating capacity of about 1,000 guests, has sparked debate among lawmakers. Republicans have proposed a bill to provide $400 million in funding for the facility, while Democrats have introduced legislation to regulate the project and restrict donations to prevent bribery.

Overall, the poll reflects a deep divide among Americans, with Democrats and independents strongly opposing the ballroom project, while a majority of Republicans support the construction. The controversy surrounding the demolition of a historic part of the White House and the construction of a grand ballroom continues to be a contentious issue in the political landscape. Support for President Trump and his administration remains strong among MAGA-Republicans, with 77% expressing their approval. This group includes Republican-leaning independents who support the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. However, support drops significantly among non-MAGA Republicans, with only 31% backing the president.

One of the most controversial proposals put forth by the Trump administration is the construction of a 250-foot-tall arch at Memorial Circle, near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. The arch would be more than twice as tall as the Lincoln Memorial, located on the other side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Despite the administration’s enthusiasm for the project, a recent poll shows that Americans oppose the construction of the arch by a margin of over 2-to-1. Strong opposition outweighs strong support by more than 4-to-1.

A group of Vietnam War veterans has filed a lawsuit to halt construction of the arch, arguing that the project requires authorization from Congress before it can proceed. They also contend that the arch would obstruct the line of sight between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. A compromise has been reached between the veterans and the administration, with a promise that the legal process will be followed in the construction of the arch. Taxpayer funds, totaling $15 million, are expected to cover part of the project costs.

The proposal to add President Trump’s signature to future U.S. paper currency has also sparked controversy. This would be a first for a sitting president, as previous U.S. presidents have not had their names appear on currency. However, a majority of Americans oppose the idea, with 68% against it and only 12% in favor. The opposition is even stronger when it comes to printing Trump’s signature on paper money, with 55% strongly against the idea.

Despite the opposition, the Trump administration has pushed forward with plans to include the president’s image on commemorative coins and a proposed Trump-themed $1 coin. The poll did not address other initiatives, such as adding Trump’s photo to national park passes or renaming the Kennedy Center.

Overall, the poll conducted among 2,560 U.S. adults revealed mixed reactions to the Trump administration’s proposals. While support remains high among MAGA-Republicans, opposition is widespread among Democrats and independents. The findings highlight the deep divisions within the country regarding President Trump’s policies and initiatives. Error margins are larger among subgroups, a new study reveals. The study, conducted by ABC News, found that when analyzing data from different subgroups within a population, the margin of error tends to be larger. This means that when looking at specific demographics or segments of the population, the accuracy of the data may be less precise.

The study, which was led by ABC News’ Liz Schreier, looked at public opinion on various political issues. One of the key findings was that Americans oppose President Trump’s policies by a margin of 2 to 1. Even more striking was the fact that an overwhelming majority of respondents opposed the idea of Trump’s signature appearing on currency.

To get a better understanding of the study’s methodology and full results, interested readers can refer to the PDF document provided by ABC News. This document includes detailed information on how the data was collected and analyzed.

For those who wish to stay updated on ABC News’ polling activities, they can email ABCNEWS.Polls@abc.com to be added to the distribution list. This way, they can receive timely updates on the latest polls and survey results.

In addition to this study, ABC News conducts various polls on a range of topics. Readers can find more information on ABC News polls by visiting abcnews.com. For media inquiries, they can reach out to Van Scott at 212-456-7243 or Brooks Lancaster.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of considering error margins when analyzing data from subgroups. By understanding the limitations of data within specific demographics, researchers can ensure that their findings are accurate and reliable.