Republicans are pushing back against a wave of Democratic criticism over President Trump’s addition of a grand ballroom to the White House. The planned structure is intended to modernize the East Wing of the White House and includes a 90,000 square-foot ballroom that will seat 650 guests. The $250 million project is being personally funded by President Trump, along with funding from private donors.
Although updates and enhancements of the property have been common under past presidential administrations, Democrats are characterizing Trump’s renovation as a destruction of the White House. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was among the Democratic leaders who took the opportunity to attack Trump on social media over the project.
“Donald Trump doesn’t want you to see this picture. He’s literally destroying the White House,” Newsom said in a post on X, which included a photo of the construction site on the East Wing.
In a statement issued on Monday, the White House referred to the backlash from the Democratic Party as “manufactured outrage” and outlined the history of previous presidents who had expanded the White House over the years.
According to the White House statement, the ballroom will be privately funded. It will serve as “a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence as a beacon of American excellence.”
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., had a similar message for Democrats, dismissing the outrage as phony. Speaking to Fox News’ Laura Ingram, Hawley called out Democratic politicians for their hypocrisy on preserving American history.
“These are the people who for the last four years have torn down every statue of this country’s history they could get their hands on,” Hawley said. “And now they’re the great defenders of history? Give me a break. They hate Donald Trump. They hate everything he does.”
Hawley praised President Trump’s efforts in the renovation and noted that the project was not being done with taxpayer money.
“The president is doing this on his own dime. I saw it today. It looks fantastic. I’m delighted he is doing it, and I love seeing these liberals melt down,” Hawley said.
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton joined in the outrage, accusing President Trump of destroying the iconic structure.
“It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,” Clinton said in a post on X.
Several Republicans pushed back against Clinton’s comments, including Donald Trump Jr., who pointed out Clinton’s own issues upon leaving the White House at the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency in 2001. At the time, the Clintons allegedly took furnishings from the White House that had been provided by donors.
“Says the woman that literally had to return the furniture and silverware that she stole from The White House on the way out. Hey Crooked, you may want to sit this one out!” Trump Jr. said.
