California Governor Gavin Newsom took a break from state matters to publicly mock White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt following her announcement of President Donald Trump’s plans to build a $200 million State Ballroom at the White House.
From the governor’s official press office X account, Newsom posted a digitally altered image featuring Effie Trinket — the extravagantly dressed character from The Hunger Games — holding renderings of the new ballroom, mimicking Leavitt’s earlier press briefing.
The caption mocked the project, drawing a parallel between the Trump administration’s announcement and out-of-touch elitism. “While all the Districts pay extra for groceries and everyday goods, the White House is excited to announce that the Capitol is creating a grand ballroom for opulent parties! May the odds be ever in your favor!!!” Newsom wrote, echoing the franchise’s famously snide tone.
The post quickly drew backlash from Trump supporters, many pointing out that the new facility is not taxpayer-funded.
“It’s not being paid for by taxpayers — but you knew that,” replied one X user.
“Trump and donors are footing the bill, not taxpayers. You seem to have purposely left that out,” added another.
Others reminded Newsom of his own controversies, like the infamous French Laundry dinner during COVID restrictions.
Undeterred, Newsom doubled down with additional jabs at the administration. “They’re more interested in defending their ballroom than the 17 million they kicked off health care,” he wrote in a follow-up post.
From his personal account, Newsom added another snark-filled remark: “Oh thank god — this is what the American people were desperately pleading with you to do!”
Leavitt, however, kept her focus on the announcement. She shared renderings of the proposed 90,000-square-foot State Ballroom and emphasized the need for a suitable venue to host major diplomatic functions without relying on temporary outdoor structures.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world,” she said. “But it does not have a space that can accommodate major functions without installing large and unsightly tents 100 yards from the main building entrance. This ballroom will change that.”
The facility is designed to host up to 650 guests — significantly more than the East Room, which currently accommodates around 200. Construction is set to begin in September, with completion expected “well before the end of President Trump’s term.”
President Trump expressed his usual confidence in the project.
“We’re good at building,” he said Thursday. “I’m good at building things, and we’ll get it built quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful — top of the line.”
He added that the ballroom will reflect the design of Mar-a-Lago and Turnberry, two of his signature properties. The East Wing, which currently houses the First Lady’s office, will be temporarily relocated and modernized during construction.
Despite the backlash, Leavitt reiterated that the entire $200 million project is being funded privately by Trump and undisclosed donors — not taxpayers.
The ballroom will be located just south of the main White House mansion, designed in a neoclassical style to match the building’s iconic façade. It marks the first major structural addition to the Executive Mansion in nearly a century. The East Wing will remain intact but repurposed.
Leavitt emphasized the diplomatic purpose of the expansion:
“This new facility will give the United States a world-class venue to host global leaders with the dignity and grandeur that such occasions deserve.”
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles echoed that sentiment, praising the president’s hands-on approach.
“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail.”
