Former Vice President Harris Criticizes Trump’s $300M White House Ballroom Amid Government Shutdown Impacting Millions

Vice President Kamala Harris fiercely criticized President Donald Trump's $300 million White House ballroom construction amid a government shutdown threatening to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions. During a podcast with Jon Stewart, Harris condemned the project as tone-deaf and a neglect of struggling Americans, emphasizing that children could starve while the administration focuses on luxury. She rejected comparisons between Trump's disruption style and Democratic governance, distinguishing between shaking up the system and causing destruction. The White House maintains that the ballroom expansion is funded by private donors, including major corporations and crypto firms, not taxpayer money. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have repeatedly voted to sustain the shutdown, with critics blaming political impasses for the ongoing food aid crisis. Harris's remarks highlight deep partisan tensions over priorities during the economic hardship caused by the government funding lapse.