‘He lied’: Fury grows over Trump’s White House demolition for $250 million ballroom

MSNBC

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Video Summary

Donald Trump's actions are characterized as an attempt to emulate a monarch, evident in his unilateral renovation of the White House's East Wing for a $250 million ballroom, bypassing congressional approval and potentially violating the Anti-Deficiency Act. This aligns with his assertion of kingly powers, including extrajudicial killings in international waters, punitive tariffs on Colombia, and the controversial use of his pardon power for individuals like George Santos and January 6th rioters, some of whom subsequently face new charges. Furthermore, Trump is reportedly demanding $230 million from the Justice Department for federal investigations into him, a move unprecedented in American history. These actions have fueled widespread public protest, with 7 million people demonstrating with the message "no kings," highlighting a fundamental American principle at odds with Trump's perceived kingly ambitions.

An interesting fact is that the White House renovation for the new ballroom, initially projected at $200 million, has already escalated to $250 million, with funding sourced from private donors

Short Highlights

Donald Trump is attempting unilateral renovations on the White House East Wing to build a $250 million ballroom, bypassing congressional approval and potentially violating the Anti-Deficiency Act.
The administration has conducted at least 5 strikes in international waters against alleged drug traffickers, which critics deem illegal extrajudicial killings, leading to punitive tariffs on Colombia when criticized.
Trump has utilized his pardon power extensively, commuting sentences for individuals like George Santos and pardoning January 6th insurrectionists, one of whom was later arrested for threatening assassination.
Trump is reportedly demanding $230 million from the Justice Department as compensation for federal investigations into him.
Approximately 7 million people have protested with the message "no kings," emphasizing a core American principle against monarchical rul

Key Details

Kingly Renovations at the White House [00:00]

Donald Trump's actions are described as an emulation of a king, particularly his unilateral renovation of the White House East Wing to construct a grand ballroom.
This project, costing an initial $200 million and later swelling to $250 million, is being funded by private donors, including Comcast.
Crucially, no congressional appropriation was sought, and the project potentially violates the 19th-century Anti-Deficiency Act, which expressly forbids spending on government projects without congressional approval.
The demolition of the existing eastern side of the White House is presented as destruction unseen since the War of 1812.

"Trump wants the White House to be a kingly palace. And so he is doing his own renovation."

Extrajudicial Killings and Punitive Tariffs [03:31]

President Trump has shared video of a strike on a submarine allegedly carrying fentanyl, resulting in two deaths and two survivors.
This was at least the fifth strike in international waters against alleged drug traffickers, with critics arguing these actions are illegal and circumvent due process.
Trump has vowed to continue these strikes, despite a conservative Republican senator stating they are illegal and go against tradition, requiring knowledge of names and accusations in declared wars.
The President of Colombia accused Trump of murdering a fisherman in one of these strikes, to which Trump responded by threatening to cut aid and impose new tariffs on Colombian imports, punishing critics of his actions.

"Those killings are illegal. I mean, absent some new information, absent some new legal rationale, based on everything we do know, they're illegal."

Abuse of Pardon Power and January 6th Aftermath [05:09]

Trump's use of his pardon power is highlighted as a presidential power derived from monarchical privileges, with founders worrying about its abuse by corrupt leaders.
He commuted the sentence of convicted fraudster and former Republican Congressman George Santos.
Trump has expressed enjoyment of his pardon power, stating he can exercise it without restraint, even for convicted child sex traffickers, referencing his right to do so despite not being asked.
Notably, he unilaterally pardoned January 6th insurrectionists, including those who assaulted law enforcement officers.
One pardoned January 6th rioter, who was seen rifling through Senator Ted Cruz's desk, was later arrested for threatening to assassinate Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

"I have the right to do it. I have the right to give pardons."

Demand for Compensation from the Justice Department [06:51]

Trump is reportedly demanding approximately $230 million from the Justice Department as compensation for federal investigations into him.
This situation is unprecedented, with a presidential candidate being pursued by federal law enforcement, winning an election, and then demanding payment from the government that investigated him.
The demand is for compensation related to his attempt to overthrow the government, for which he was charged with four felonies.
His use of wealth to prolong proceedings and the appointment of justices who allegedly delivered him immunity are cited as reasons he walked free and got elected.

"President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him about $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him."

Mass Protests Against Monarchical Rule [07:55]

The segment concludes by noting that 7 million people took to the streets in over 200 communities with the message "no kings."
This message is framed as fundamentally American and at the bedrock of the nation's founding.
The MAGA movement is accused of trying to paint this movement as anti-American and radical to distract from Trump's perceived kingly behavior.
This includes actions like posting AI videos of himself as a king and acting unilaterally.