Former President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins, branding her "stupid and nasty" after she questioned him about a significant budget increase for a new White House ballroom project.
Social Media Outburst Over Ballroom Budget
The 79-year-old Republican leader took to his Truth Social platform on Saturday morning to vent his frustration. He took issue with Collins for asking why the construction costs for the new ballroom had risen from the original estimate.
"Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago," he wrote, misspelling her first name.
Trump defended the increased expenditure, stating the project was now "double the size" and that the quality of finishes had been elevated to the highest level. He insisted the venture was "actually under budget and ahead of schedule," a claim he said was typical of his projects.
Funding and Scale of the Project
The ballroom, which required the demolition of the White House's East Wing, is now projected to cost $300 million, a substantial rise from the initial $200 million estimate. Trump emphasised that the project is being privately funded by a consortium of 37 donors.
This group reportedly includes major technology firms like Amazon and Google, as well as prominent figures from the cryptocurrency sector. The ballroom is officially described as spanning 90,000 square feet, making it significantly larger than the 55,000-square-foot White House residence.
Architectural Firm Replaced Amid Disagreements
The budget escalation follows Trump's decision in late October to replace architect James McCrery II and his firm. Sources indicate that behind-the-scenes tensions arose over Trump's desire to continually increase the building's size.
While one source cited missed deadlines and a small workforce as reasons for the change, another maintained that Trump and McCrery parted on good terms. It remains unclear whether the architect stepped down voluntarily.
Collins referenced the ongoing construction during her CNN show, The Source with Kaitlan Collins, on Friday, pointing out the crane on the White House grounds. The exact timing of her questioning of Trump about the budget is not known.
Trump further criticised CNN's overall coverage, alleging the network failed to highlight the private funding of the ballroom. He lambasted the network's leadership and claimed its ratings were so low they were no longer relevant, signing off with "MAGA!!!"
In response to the attack, a CNN spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "Kaitlan Collins is a world class journalist, and we continue to stand behind her brilliant reporting that she does on a daily basis." The Daily Mail has also contacted the White House for additional comment.
