Karoline Leavitt struggles to deescalate firestorm around Trump's White House demolition

10h

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The New Republic reports White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to rationalize the demolition of a section of the historic White House on Fox News.

Speaking on Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime Tuesday, Leavitt tried to deescalate the firestorm that arose from viral photographs of the White House East Wing, which Trump is demolishing to make way for his new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, despite claiming that no demolition of White House architecture would be necessary. Leavitt claims Americans voted for the devastation.

“He is the builder in chief,” Leavitt said. “In large part, he was reelected back to this people’s house because he is good at building things. He has done it his entire life, his entire career.”

Leavitt also attempted to brush off harrowing images of smashed wood, leveled walls and crumbling plaster, arguing that the East Wing of the White House would be “more modern and beautiful than ever.”

Trump had claimed in July that his $250 million ballroom, which is financed by personal donations from wealthy allies and supporters, would not “interfere with the current building.” He later claimed the East Wing would be “fully modernized,” which apparently requires knocking down walls and ceilings.

But the New Republic reports Trump’s destruction has triggered massive fallout. The Treasury Department, sent a message to federal employees Monday evening asking them to stop taking photos of the massive hole in the side of the building.

“It also seems that Trump has allowed his “builder in chief” status to eclipse his actual duties,” reports the New Republic. “The president has reportedly become consumed by his large-scale remodeling at the White House, wandering away from his work to survey renovations.”

Read the New Republic report at this link.

From Your Site Articles