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Democrats misrepresented White House press secretary’s comment about Trump’s ballroom project, a fact check reveals.
A viral clip circulating on social media showing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing a new White House ballroom as “President Donald Trump’s main priority” has been taken significantly out of context, an investigation has found.
The controversy erupted this week as construction began on the East Wing of the White House, which was demolished to make way for a new ballroom. President Trump has stated that the renovation would make the White House “more beautiful than ever” and emphasized that the project is being financed through private funding rather than taxpayer dollars.
Critics have seized on the timing of the renovation, which coincides with an ongoing government shutdown. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized the project on social media platform X, writing: “The government may be shut down, but Trump is still managing to get some work done in Washington—like illegally demolishing an entire wing of the White House to build himself a ballroom. Lifting a finger to lower your health care costs? Not so much.”
The clip in question shows Leavitt saying, “At this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.” By Friday afternoon, the video had garnered more than seven million views on X, with numerous high-profile Democrats sharing it as evidence of misplaced priorities during a government shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shared the clip, calling it “callous,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries contrasted the ballroom priority with ongoing economic concerns. Senator Cory Booker and Representative Don Beyer made similar criticisms, suggesting that healthcare costs and economic issues should take precedence over ballroom construction.
The Democratic Party’s official account went further, issuing a press release titled, “Leavitt Admits Trump’s ‘Main Priority’ Is Building His $300 Million Gold Ballroom.”
However, an examination of the full press briefing reveals that Leavitt’s comment was made specifically in response to a question about potential White House renovations, not about the administration’s overall priorities.
In the complete exchange, a reporter asked Leavitt if Trump was “looking at any other renovations or significant kind of projects here at the White House?” She responded: “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly, and so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”
The White House responded forcefully to Schumer’s criticism, pointing out that the comment was specifically about construction projects on the White House grounds, not about administration priorities more broadly.
The controversy highlights the increasingly contentious political environment, where snippets of video can be quickly disseminated without full context, potentially misleading viewers about their original meaning. It also underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic leadership over government priorities during a shutdown.
This incident comes amid broader debates about government spending, healthcare costs, and economic policy, with both parties seeking to frame the other as out of touch with the needs of everyday Americans. While the ballroom renovation continues to draw criticism from opponents who view it as extravagant and poorly timed, the administration maintains that private funding ensures no taxpayer resources are being diverted from essential services.
For voters trying to navigate these competing claims, this fact check serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking full context before drawing conclusions based on brief video clips circulating on social media.
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8 Comments
Interesting fact check. It’s important to get the full context on these types of claims. A new White House ballroom project shouldn’t be a priority during a government shutdown, regardless of the funding source. We should focus on solving real issues that impact people’s lives.
A new White House ballroom may make the building more visually appealing, but I question the timing and priorities. With a government shutdown, the administration should be focused on resolving pressing issues that affect citizens, not on decorative renovations.
While I appreciate the additional context provided by the fact check, I’m still concerned about the White House’s priorities. A ballroom renovation, even if privately funded, seems like an unnecessary distraction during a government shutdown. The administration should be focusing on resolving pressing issues that affect the public.
It’s good to see a fact check on this issue, as the initial reports were quite misleading. However, I’m still not convinced that a White House ballroom should be a priority right now. There are more pressing concerns that require the administration’s attention.
This fact check helps clarify the situation, but I’m still not convinced that a White House ballroom should be a priority right now. With a government shutdown ongoing, the administration should be focused on resolving pressing issues that impact citizens’ daily lives.
The fact check provides valuable context, but I remain skeptical about the timing of this ballroom project. Even if it’s privately funded, the perception of the White House focusing on renovations rather than addressing the shutdown is problematic. I hope the administration will reconsider this initiative.
While I understand the desire to improve the White House, a ballroom renovation seems like an unnecessary use of resources during an active government shutdown. Taxpayer dollars would be better spent addressing pressing concerns like healthcare costs and government services.
The fact check provides important context, but I still have concerns about the White House’s priorities. Even with private funding, a ballroom project seems misguided when the government is not fully operational. I hope the administration will reconsider this initiative.