During a recent segment on “The Source,” CNN anchor Caitlan Collins interrupted Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) to correct her claim that building a new White House ballroom was President Donald Trump’s top priority amid the government shutdown.
The exchange turned tense when Crockett shifted from discussing the shutdown to criticizing Trump’s plans for renovations in the East Tower.
She expressed that Trump seems to be focused on everything but what really matters. “The president is prioritizing a ballroom that no one even asked for,” she stated, also suggesting the project might harm historic parts of the White House.
Collins quickly pointed out that Crockett’s comments were misconstrued from previous statements made by the White House.
“Actually, the context of Caroline Leavitt’s comment was in response to a question about other renovations,” Collins clarified.
She emphasized that Leavitt had mentioned Trump’s focus being on the ballroom specifically.
This fact-check followed a week of mixed interpretations regarding Leavitt’s earlier comments, which gained traction after being shared by progressive media figures.
At a White House briefing on October 23, when asked about renovations other than the ballroom and Rose Garden, Leavitt said, “To my knowledge, that’s not the case. His heart and mind are constantly stirred about improvements, but for now, the ballroom is the priority.”
That snippet was later shared on social media in an abbreviated format that painted a selective picture of the exchange.
The video gained over two million views, provoking anger from some Democratic officials and commentators who accused Trump of focusing on vanity projects while leaving workers unpaid.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted with skepticism, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voiced that the situation seemed unresolvable, given the escalating costs and the urgent need for relief.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) stated, “People need help,” adding that she would welcome the president in her district to see the needs firsthand.
While Levitt’s remarks appeared misleadingly framed in social media posts, her full response clarified that she was focusing on renovation work rather than Trump’s overall governing strategy. Nevertheless, the tweet spread widely before being scrutinized by various news outlets.
The ballroom renovation has become a contentious topic, representing what many see as misplaced priorities during an extensive government shutdown.
The White House maintains that the project is fully financed by private donors, with an estimated cost of $300 million.
Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) even called for future Democratic presidential candidates to promise to “demolish” the ballroom if they win.
Crockett’s office has yet to comment on the exchange with CNN or whether any corrections will be made regarding her statements. Previously, she mentioned uncertainty about when the government shutdown would conclude.
The newspaper has reached out for further comments from Crockett.
