President Trump on Saturday defended the cost of the new White House ballroom after questions were raised about a significant increase in its projected price.
The ballroom had initially been estimated at $200 million, but the figure later rose to $300 million.
Trump, who was a real estate mogul in his former life before politics, pushed back when asked about the higher price tag by CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins during an exchange on Saturday.
“Caitlin Collins of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago,” the president wrote on social media. “I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level.
“Also, the column SPAN has been substantially increased for purposes of viewing. It is actually under budget and ahead of schedule, as my jobs always are,” he added.
Trump went on to say that the changing price was because the ballroom plans are now “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned.”
“Interestingly and seldom reported, there are no taxpayer dollars involved. It is being fully paid for by private donations,” he said.
The new ballroom, which has not yet been named, is expected to span approximately 90,000 square feet — far larger than the roughly 55,000-square-foot White House residence, excluding the West Wing.
The administration initially said the ballroom would seat about 650 people, though President Trump has since claimed it will accommodate closer to 1,000.
Construction began in October with the demolition of the East Wing, and construction noise is now audible from inside the White House.
Critics argue the ballroom is disproportionately large for the White House complex, while Trump has defended the project as necessary. His team has also said that the price tag is not a concern because no taxpayer funds are being used.
In defending the construction of a ballroom in the past, Trump has noted that large White House events usually must take place outdoors in the elements, with tents and other temporary accomodations that are often less than desireble depending on weather. He has said guests sometimes have had to slog around in wet grass and standing water.
Trump has also defended the construction, noting that future administrations will happily utilize it.
“In the latest instance of manufactured outrage, unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House — 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,” the White House said in a release this week.
A new lead architect was recently appointed to oversee the project following reports that the original architect had disagreements with President Trump over the size of the planned ballroom.
Shalom Baranes has assumed the role of lead architect, replacing James McCrery II, who will continue on the project as a consultant, the Washington Times reports.
Democrats have routinely bashed the ballroom addition, including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.
In an October op-ed for USA Today, Clinton chided Trump for his alleged “disregard for history” and for taking a “wrecking ball to our heritage” with major White House renovations, despite the fact that presidents throughout U.S. history of made similar capital improvements.
“A disregard for history is a defining trait of President Trump’s second administration,” Clinton wrote, criticizing the East Wing demolition, changes at the Smithsonian, and the administration’s push to remove diversity and inclusion programs across federal agencies.
Conservative commentators mocked Clinton’s remarks, reminding her of the many scandals surrounding her father’s presidency.
