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Trump Lashes Out at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins While Defending Costlier, Expanded White House Ballroom

He argues the higher price reflects a larger, upgraded design financed by private donations.

Overview

  • In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump denounced Collins as “stupid” and “nasty” and said the ballroom will be twice the size with higher-end finishes and a wider column span for better sight lines.
  • Trump asserted the project is under budget, ahead of schedule, and funded entirely by private donations with no taxpayer money.
  • Recent reporting says the estimated cost has climbed by at least $100 million since the project was first announced.
  • Coverage describes a hurried design process with apparent errors in documents and notes the schedule slipped past an originally planned September groundbreaking.
  • Reports have also highlighted omissions in donor disclosures, including a $2.5 million contribution from BlackRock, and CNN said a new architect is overseeing the project after a clash with the original lead.