Dem senator breaks ranks with party to support Trump’s $200M White House makeover

Whereas some Democrats have sustained President Donald Trump’s plan $ 200 million to renovate the White Home ballroom, Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., Defended the funding in an interview with Fox Information Digital.

“The plans can be carried out in a tasteful and historic means,” Fetterman stated. “They do not use Dave & Buster’s type of state of affairs right here, so I believe upgrading a few of these services appears fairly regular.”

However senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Described the final objective of Trump as something however ‘regular’.

“The venture within the White Home is a huge boondoggle,” stated Blumenthal. “The necessary query just isn’t solely the injury it may trigger to the structure of the White Home, but additionally what contributors would have about Trump if they offer this venture.”

Trump gave the Oval Workplace a gilded make -over – and lined the prices itself

President Donald Trump speaks within the Oval Workplace on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty photos)

White Home Pers Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last month That Trump and personal donors will finance the estimated prices of $ 200 million of the brand new ballroom.

Trump seems on the roof of the White Home within the midst of conversations about historic renovations

“Now he’s going to ask for cash from personal contributors for this Boondoggle, and the query is – what affect and influence will these contributors have?” The Senator from Connecticut requested.

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stated that the criticism of Democrats “isn’t a surprise for anybody.”

“That’s the essence of their social gathering,” stated Cruz. “They’re animated by hatred for Trump and hatred for the American individuals who voted for him.”

The Senator from Texas stated he’s grateful for the ‘phenomenal venture’ and accused Democrats of hating every little thing Trump does.

“A ballroom within the White Home can be utilized by presidents, each Republicans and Democrats, and it is going to be financed with no cent tax cash,” stated Cruz.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Speaks to reporters within the Senate Metro on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty photos)

Sen. Chris Coons, D-del. Nonetheless, acknowledged that the White Home wants occasion area.

Leavitt stated that the president is unable to prepare necessary features with world leaders with out putting in a “massive and ugly tent about 100 meters away from the doorway to the principle constructing.”

However Coons stated that he “is aware of if he truly has the authority to basically change the form and scale of the White Home with no historic affiliation of the White Home or an architect who approves it.”

“The final time I checked, there’s nothing within the regulation that it says,” Cruz shot again.

Coons has additionally raised an issue with the timeline of the venture. Leavitt stated that the renovations will begin in September and “can be accomplished lengthy earlier than the top of the time period of workplace of President Trump.”

An Mccrery architects which can be equipped by the White Home of the Nieuwe Balzaal. (The White Home)

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“My concern, seen what I’ve heard to date, is that it might not be accomplished on his timeline, in order that he would be the former president and people who observe him can be caught to what a white elephant might be,” Coons stated.

Senator Roger Marshall, R-Kan., To be admitted that the ballroom could be very “Trumponian”, however confirmed that “he’s going to do properly.”

“I’m blissful to do it with personal {dollars},” Marshall added. “I believe it is nice so as to add and put that Trump stamp on the White Home.”

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And Senator John Hoeven, RN.D., agreed and instructed Fox Information Digital that the Nieuwe Balzaal can be an awesome addition to the White Home and celebrated that there can be “no prices for the taxpayer”.

Amanda Macias from Fox Information Digital has contributed to this report.