Many of you may be following the fiasco with the East Wing of the White House. How Trump illegally ordered it demolished. How the debris with toxic metals was just dumped at a nearby public golf course. But did you hear the latest?

After Trump said the White House ballroom would be entirely “privately funded”, Republicans are now requesting $1B of taxpayer dollars for its construction. That’s billion with a B. 

Can you imagine the conversation Trump had with his subservient supporters in Congress?

Senator X: Mr. President, your plans for this ballroom are magnificent — grand, luxurious, and a gift to the American people. And the best part is it won’t cost taxpayers a dime.

Trump: No, actually we’re going to need about a billion dollars.

Senator X: …

Trump: That’s billion with a B. We love the B…

Senator X: But we already told voters…

Trump: I mean for now… a billion for now. Maybe more later. Everyone says we need it.

Senator X: I don’t think that would go over well with Americans who are already struggling with sky high gas and grocery prices because of the war… eh, military activities in Iran. And we’ve already increased the national debt…

Trump: That’s ok we’ll sell it. You’ll sell it. I need this. It’s going to be beautiful – the most beautiful ballroom that ever was.

…End scene. 

Now, “Senator X” could be just about anybody in today’s MAGA cast of characters — Lindsey Graham, Mike Johnson, or any number of Republicans in Congress lining up to defend the indefensible while they gear up for reelection.

And while they’re busy figuring out how to explain a billion-dollar ballroom to Americans, we’re focused on something else entirely: electing leaders who will actually fight corruption instead of enabling it.

At Midwest Values PAC, we’re supporting progressive candidates in critical races across the country — candidates willing to stand up to the grift, the extremism, and the nonstop attacks on basic accountability.

Thanks,

Al

P.S. Last week, Trump mocked Democrats for talking about affordability. He said, “The Democrats start screaming, ‘affordability, affordability’… They’ve got one good line of bullshit.” 

Which is a pretty interesting thing to say while asking taxpayers for a billion dollars for a ballroom.

Midwest Values PAC supports candidates & causes that share our values.

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Somehow, it’s been 20 years since I started Midwest Values PAC to help Democrats win elections — from progressive organizations to state legislatures to Congress to the White House — who share the values I grew up with in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Since 2006, Midwest Values PAC has invested more than $4 million in 341 candidates and organizations — and counting. 

Of course, none of this happens without you (or supporters like you) who care enough to pitch in.

As we mark our 20th anniversary, the work is more urgent than ever. This year, we have a big job: flip the House, take the Senate, and win up and down the ballot at the state and local level.

To mark our 20th year, we’ve set an ambitious goal: 26,000 contributions by Election Day 2026.

Thanks for being part of this fight, and for sticking with us for 20 years (or for just joining — welcome!).

Al

P.S. Over the years, okay, decades, we’ve helped Democrats win tough races all across the country by investing early, intelligently, and strategically. That’s how you flip seats. That’s how you protect democracy. And that’s how you stop the worst impulses of a president who never should have been president in the first place.