Former President Barack Obama is mocking current President Donald Trump over his $300 million White House East Wing Ballroom renovation project.
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Donald Trump And White House Speak On $300 Million East Wing Ballroom Renovation Project Amid Government Shutdown And Halt On SNAP Program
As previously shared, the White House announced on July 31 that construction on the White House’s new ballroom in the East Wing would soon begin. The project included a $200 million price tag, with Trump and other patriot donors funding it. However, by late October, the cost of the ballroom went up to at least $300 million.
Trump also said the new ballroom — which will reportedly be named the President Donald J. Trump Ballroom — would be able to hold up to 900 people, even though the initial plans only accounted for a maximum capacity of 650, according to NBC News.
On October 23, Trump told ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce that he raised about $350 million. However, clarified, “It’s going to cost right in the neighborhood of $300 million. It’s been expanded. It’ll be the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world, I think.”
When asked how much money he’s specifically donated, Trump said, “I won’t be able to tell you until it’s finished. But, I’ll donate whatever’s needed, I’ll tell you that.” Meanwhile, as construction continues on the new White House ballroom, the government remains shutdown, since October 1, and nearly 42 million Americans lost their food stamp/SNAP Program benefits as of November 1.
The shutdown marks the second under Trump. The first came during his first term and lasted for 35 days from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019. Both stints mark the two longest shutdowns in U.S. history.
Barack Obama Slams Donald Trump’s White House Wile Rallying In Virginia
Early Saturday morning (November 1), Obama spoke at a Virginia Votes Rally, joining former Democratic Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger. Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Chairman of Virginia Democrats Lamont Bagby, Congressman Bobby Scott, and Senator Tim Kaine also spoke to the thousands in the stands at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, VA.
Spanberger’s ticket mates were also in attendance: Senator and Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi; and former Democratic State Delegate and Attorney General candidate Jerrauld Charles Corey “Jay” Jones.
At the event, Obama not only supported Spanberger’s campaign, but also urged voters to go out and make a change during the midterm elections under the Trump administration. He told the crowd to convert their disapproval of the Trump administration into votes to get them out. He said, “They don’t hear boos. They hear votes.”
Obama claimed the White House every day “offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and recklessness and mean-spiritedness and just plain craziness.” He continued:
“We’ve got a commander in chief who fires decorated officers because he thinks they might be more loyal to the Constitution than they are to him. He’s deploying the National Guard in American cities, claiming to stop crime waves that don’t actually exist.”
Additionally, Obama said that every day in the Trump White House is “Halloween. Except it’s all tricks and no treats.” He continued to shade Trump and mock his $300 million White House East Wing Ballroom renovation project. While addressing Trump’s poor handling of the ongoing government shutdown and loss of SNAP Program benefits, Obama told the crowd:
“As for the President, he has been focused on critical issues. Like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don’t get mud on their shoes. And gold-plating the Oval Office and building a $300 million ballroom. So, Virginia, here’s the good news. If you can’t visit a doctor, don’t worry, he will save you a dance. And if you don’t get an invitation to the next White House shindig, you can always watch the festivities and all the beautiful people on Truth Social.”
Barack Obama Continues Slamming Donald Trump’s White House Wile Rallying In Virginia
Obama continued to criticize the “conspiracies [and] the weird videos” shared by the Trump administration. He said, “The point is there is absolutely no evidence Republican policies have made life better for you, the people of Virginia.”
While pointing to Spanberger, Obama said she was someone who has “a track record of getting stuff done.” He noted her career as a federal law enforcement officer, a CIA case officer, a congresswoman, and a mother of three. Obama said, “Virginia, it’s time to point America in a better direction by electing Abigail Spanberger as your next governor.” He said she’s a “workhorse, not a show horse,” adding:
“Abigail ranks as the most bipartisan member of Congress from the Commonwealth. She’s had bills signed into law by both President Trump and President Biden. That is not easy. And Abigail doesn’t just believe in working with everybody, she also believes in listening to everybody, whether they voted for her or not, because she knows that if we want to make progress on the things that we care about, we have to be able to disagree without calling each other nasty names or demonizing each other.”
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