Republicans Defend $250M White House Ballroom Amid Bipartisan Criticism

President Trump is overseeing a $250 million privately funded renovation of the White House's East Wing, including a 90,000 square-foot ballroom intended to modernize the facility, which has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats who claim it damages the historic residence. Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley and the White House, dismiss these attacks as "manufactured outrage" and highlight historical precedents of past presidents expanding the White House. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats such as Chuck Schumer and Brian Schatz criticize the Trump administration for prioritizing extravagant expenditures like the ballroom and foreign aid over critical domestic needs amid a government shutdown caused by budget disputes, particularly over the Affordable Care Act tax credit. Schatz highlighted the administration's spending on luxury items, contrasting it with the lack of funds for essential programs affecting millions of Americans. The shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands of government workers going unpaid and food assistance programs being threatened, fueling bipartisan frustration. This tension reflects broader political disputes over spending priorities and governance under President Trump's administration.