Karoline Leavitt Says Democrats’ Outrage Over White House Demolition Stems from ‘Jealousy’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has pushed back against criticism surrounding the ongoing demolition of the East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump’s ambitious $250 million ballroom project, attributing much of the backlash to what she calls Democratic “jealousy.”
Demolition Sparks Outcry
Demolition work began this week on the East Wing—home to the First Lady’s offices—to construct a sprawling 90,000 square-foot ballroom, the first of its kind in White House history. The project, which is entirely privately funded, has drawn concern from architecture groups and public outrage, especially after images of the historic building being torn down surfaced online.
Adding fuel to the fire, the demolition began during a government shutdown, prompting Democrats to question the timing and priorities of the administration.
Leavitt’s Response: “Fake Outrage” and Presidential Precedent
On Fox News with Jesse Watters, Leavitt dismissed the criticism. “Are the Democrats jealous that Trump is building this big beautiful ballroom?” Watters asked.
“It certainly appears that way, Jesse,” Leavitt replied. “I believe there’s a lot of fake outrage right now because nearly every single president who has lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own.”
Leavitt praised Trump as the “builder-in-chief,” noting that while many presidents have dreamed of such a project, Trump is the one “actually doing something about it.” She assured viewers that the East Wing, a separate structure from the executive mansion, “will be more modern and beautiful than ever” once the construction is complete.
She also emphasized that the project is “not a dime of the taxpayers’ money,” being funded by wealthy donors and the president himself.
Who’s Funding the Ballroom?
The ballroom is being financed by a coalition of business leaders and tech giants, including Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, and Palantir Technologies. Trump recently hosted a fundraiser at the White House to thank these contributors for their support. Additionally, YouTube will contribute $22 million to the project, as part of a legal settlement with Trump over the platform’s ban of his account following the January 6 Capitol riot.
On Truth Social, Trump celebrated the project: “Ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!”
Democratic Criticism: “Disgrace” and “Second Gilded Age”
Democratic lawmakers have condemned the project as ill-timed and extravagant. Florida Rep. Darren Soto called it “Trump’s billionaire ballroom,” adding, “This is a disgrace. Welcome to the Second Gilded Age.” Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin likened the demolition to the burning of the White House in 1812, accusing Trump of “tearing apart the people’s house to build a gaudy Marie Antoinette ballroom for the billionaires and CEOs to party while Americans are crushed by inflation and tariffs.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois criticized the administration’s priorities amid the ongoing government shutdown: “Nearly 2 million Illinoisans will see their SNAP benefits run out on November 1st—But Trump has no problem spending money to build his ballroom, bail out Argentina and buy Kristi Noem two private jets.”
Architectural Concerns Over Historic Preservation
Architecture groups have also voiced apprehension about the rapid pace and scale of the demolition. The Society of Architectural Historians noted that this is the first major change to the White House’s exterior in over 80 years, urging a “rigorous and deliberate design and review process.”
The American Institute of Architects warned, “Although the ballroom project may have secured private funding, the White House is not a private building. Any modifications to it—especially modifications of this magnitude—should reflect the importance, scale, and symbolic weight of the White House itself.”
Historical Context: White House Renovations Through the Ages
Despite the controversy, Trump is not the first president to make significant changes to the White House. The West Wing was doubled in size under Teddy Roosevelt, the Oval Office was created by William Taft, and Franklin D. Roosevelt overhauled the West Wing in 1934. Harry Truman renovated most of the interior in 1948, and Richard Nixon added a bowling alley in 1970.
The Rose Garden has also seen multiple renovations, most recently during Trump’s first term.
Conclusion
The construction of the White House ballroom has ignited a fierce debate over tradition, priorities, and presidential legacy. While Karoline Leavitt and President Trump tout the project as a privately funded modernization for future generations, critics warn of historic loss and misplaced priorities during a time of national hardship. As the East Wing transforms, the controversy over Trump’s “billionaire ballroom” is likely to remain front and center in America’s political and cultural discourse.
