The White House sparked ridicule after sharing a “bird’s-eye view” of Donald Trump’s ballroom project, with critics calling officials “illiterate buffoons” over an embarrassing detail in the photograph.
Donald Trump’s controversial White House ballroom is taking shape as construction continues on the 20,000-square-foot venue, designed to accommodate about 1,000 guests.
Part of a larger 90,000-square-foot East Wing redevelopment, the project has attracted fierce criticism over the demolition of the historic wing, legal challenges from preservation advocates and soaring costs.
Initially estimated at $200 million, the ballroom’s projected cost has since more than doubled, although Trump insists private donors will cover the expense.
“No taxpayer money for the ballroom at all,” he insisted, according to USA Today.
Despite the controversy, the POTUS maintains construction is ahead of schedule, with the ballroom expected to open in September 2028.
A ‘bird’s-eye view’ that wasn’t
On Wednesday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino Jr. shared a video on X showing Trump flying over the construction site aboard Marine One on his way to Joint Base Andrews before traveling to South Carolina.
The footage offered a genuine bird’s-eye view of the project, revealing a towering steel framework surrounded by cranes as the ballroom takes shape beside the presidential residence.
But two days later, the official White House account shared another construction update, and this time, its description left social media users scratching their heads.
“Bird’s-eye view of the ballroom,” the account wrote alongside a photograph showing a large crane towering over the construction site, with Marine One flying overhead.
“Next stop: The Sunshine State,” the post added, referring to Trump’s trip to Florida.
There was just one problem. While the president may have enjoyed an aerial view from his helicopter, the photograph was taken from the ground.
And social media users wasted little time pointing out the issue.
‘Illiterate buffoons’
“Cat check: This is not a bird’s eye view, unless the bird is dead,” joked a parody account impersonating Larry the Cat, the famous feline resident of Britain’s Downing Street.
Other users were considerably less forgiving: “Birds Eye view = looking from the ground. These people are literally idiots,” one wrote, while another added, “Bird’s-eye view would be from up above, you illiterate buffoons.”
But beyond the mockery, others turned their anger toward the ballroom’s extravagant price tag, questioning Trump’s priorities as Americans struggle with rising living costs.
“Gross indulgence while Americans starve,” one netizen noted, while a second argued: “How could this still be your number one focus when Americans are suffering so much over healthcare expenses, affordability, gas prices energy prices and all you care about is a ballroom and a toupee.”
Another, sharing a meme of a man in the MAGAverse, wrote, “I don’t mind paying more for gas as long as my favorite pedophile gets his ballroom.”
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