As the government shutdown drags on and thousands of federal employees face another missed paycheck, President Donald Trump appears to have a very different focus — and it’s not reopening the government.
At Thursday’s a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stunned reporters when she revealed that President Donald Trump’s “main priority” amid the ongoing shutdown was the construction of a new White House ballroom.
The admission came after CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang pressed Leavitt on the surprise demolition of the White House’s East Wing earlier that day — a move that reportedly caught even some senior staff off guard.
“Could he demolish this building or say the Jefferson Memorial?” Jiang asked pointedly.
Leavitt, maintaining her composure, responded, “That’s a legal opinion that’s been held by the NCPC (National Capital Planning Commission) for many years. Their general counsel has said when it comes to phase one of this project, the tearing down of the current East Wing structure, a submission is not required legally for that.”
Jiang followed up: “So it sounds like the answer is yes. He can tear down whatever he wants.”
“That’s not what we’re saying,” Leavitt shot back. “That’s a legal opinion that’s been held for many years. And he’s interpreting it.”
The exchange left reporters buzzing. The East Wing, which historically houses offices for the First Lady and key staff, was reduced to rubble just hours before the briefing. The administration offered no advance notice or public explanation beyond Leavitt’s terse responses.
When asked if Trump had more renovation plans in mind — especially after bulldozing the East Wing and paving over the Rose Garden — Leavitt offered a half-grin and a telling remark.
“Not to my knowledge, no, but he’s a builder at heart, clearly,” she said. “And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds.”
Then came the line that’s already ricocheting through Washington: “But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”
Yes — a ballroom. With thousands of federal employees furloughed, national parks shuttered, and bipartisan talks stalled, the president’s focus, according to his own press secretary, is on adding a luxury ballroom to the White House.
As one stunned reporter muttered after the briefing wrapped up, “People are losing paychecks — and he’s picking out chandeliers.”
Watch the clip below:
Leavitt: At this moment in time, the ballroom is really the president's main priority. pic.twitter.com/pXDBW39CVt
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 23, 2025
