LISTEN: ‘DeploraBall’ Is Now An Inaugural Party Without A Home

John Matthews
WMAL.com

ARLINGTON — (WMAL) Organizers of an inauguration party to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump are looking for a new site after the original venue pulled out of the deal.

The “DeploraBall”, organized by a group called “Citizens For Trump”, was tentatively to be held the night before inauguration at Clarendon Ballroom, and more than 500 tickets had been sold at $29.95 a pop. However, the North Arlington nightclub ultimately decided not to host event, and workers at the club report they have been receiving harassing phone calls ever since.

Arlington police have confirmed they received claims about the calls from the Clarendon ballroom, but they do not believe the club has received any credible threats.

Maurisa Potts, a spokeswoman for Clarendon Ballroom told WMAL the group had started selling tickets without having a contract for the venue, and claims “Citizens For Trump” never placed a deposit.

“This is just a slap in the face to the 63 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump,” said Corey Stewart, Trump’s one-time Virginia campaign manager. “I just hope that all Republicans and conservatives out there cease to frequent the Clarendon Ballroom, because clearly they are not welcome there,” he added.

Potts says that’s simply not true.

“They have hosted a variety of political affiliations – Inaugural balls, parties… and they have never discriminated about any affiliation,” she said.

Potts puts the blame on organizers.

“They decided to sell tickets to a ball [without a contract], and when we indicated the space was not available, they took the position that the Ballroom was discriminating against their political beliefs, which was not the case,” Potts said.

Organizers now say they’ll find a larger venue to hold the event.