Clinton slams Trump ballroom project, faces furniture controversy mockery
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The Trump administration took shots at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for rallying Americans to reject President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction project, accusing the former first lady of stealing furniture from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in 2001.
“Failed presidential candidate and former First Lady Crooked Hillary Clinton stole furniture from the White House until she had to return it on her way out,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “Crooked Hillary is shameless and an absolute disgrace.”
“Meanwhile, President Trump is restoring the White House to its proper splendor that Americans can enjoy for generations to come — at no cost to taxpayers — which is something we should all celebrate,” Ingle said. he added.
Clinton took to social media in early October to rally support against Trump’s construction of a ballroom at the White House, a privately funded project to install a 90,000-square-foot entertainment space at the iconic residence.
HILLARY CLINTON MOCKED 2001 FURNITURE SCANDAL AT TRUMP’S BALLROOM CRASH: ‘AT LEAST HE DIDN’T STOLE’
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Monday, August 11, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“This is not his home” Hillary Clinton X wrote on Tuesday morning. “This is your home. And he’s destroying it.”
Clinton’s comment was immediately mocked, as conservatives revived a 2001 controversy in which former President Bill Clinton and his wife took household items from the White House that were legally designated as White House property.
The Clintons took and then returned an estimated $28,000 in White House furniture provided by donors and paid $86,000 to the federal government for other gifts they received in 2001, after Clinton’s tenure in the Oval Office ended, the Washington Post reported at the time. The first couple denied any wrongdoing while citing a “cataloging error.”
“Gifts would not leave the White House without the approval of the White House ushers and curators,” the Clintons said in a 2001 statement. “Of course, if the White House now determines that a cataloging error has occurred…any item in question will be returned.”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized President Donald Trump’s project to build a ballroom at the White House. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Conservatives, including lawmakers and social media influencers, criticized the 2001 debate in response to comments Clinton made against ballroom construction.
TRUMP CELEBRATES THE DEMOLITION OF THE WHITE HOUSE AS NEW BALLROOM RISES: ‘MUSIC TO MY EARS’
“At least he didn’t steal the silverware,” the Texas Senator said. Ted Cruz shared a post on X Tuesday scolded Clinton.
“Hi Hillary, Remind us, weren’t you the one who took $28,000 from the White House furniture when you moved in?” conservative influencer Benny Johnson posted on X. “What about your husband, who defiled the Oval Office during his presidency? President Trump is financing a beautiful new ballroom out of his own pocket.”
Former White House staffer says ‘A Clinton would never dirty the White House’ Alex Pfeiffer responded in response.
Fox News Digital reached out to Clinton’s office multiple times for additional comment about her anti-ballroom remarks and subsequent mockery of the 2001 debate but did not hear back.
The White House has begun demolishing part of the East Wing to build the ballroom that President Donald Trump wants added to the building. (Associated Press)
Trump announced Monday that construction on the ballroom has begun.
HILLARY CLINTON DISCOVERS VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: ‘IT’S NOT HIS HOME”
“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken for the construction of the new, grand and beautiful Ballroom at the White House,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The East Wing, which is completely separate from the White House, is being fully modernized as part of this process and will be more beautiful than ever when completed!”
Trump first announced that he would install two large flagpoles in the White House (Getty Images)
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“For over 150 years, every President has dreamed of having a Ballroom in the White House to host people for large parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally bring this much-needed project to life at zero cost to the American Taxpayers!” he continued. “The White House Ballroom is privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Corporations, and your company. This Ballroom will be happily used for generations to come!”
