‘Ballroom Derangement Syndrome is real’: Karoline Leavitt blasts Dems for ‘unhinged’ Trump attacks

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took aim at what she called “White House ballroom construction derangement syndrome,” accusing Democrats of being irrationally outraged over President Donald Trump’s plan to replace the East Wing with a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom.

Leavitt said the criticism has reached “unhinged” levels, arguing that opponents are determined to attack Trump regardless of the facts, even though the renovation is privately funded and won’t cost taxpayers a dime. 

Karoline Leavitt slams 'ballroom derangement syndrome' over East Wing demolition

Responding to growing backlash from Democratic leaders and liberal commentators, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a Thursday press briefing that “White House ballroom construction derangement syndrome is real and is currently dominating the rhetoric of the nation’s political Left.”

“Their sole purpose in life appears to be just to be angry over anything and everything President Donald Trump does, even when the accusations are a complete detachment from reality,” Leavitt wrote in a separate post on X. “Like nearly everything these people say anymore, their antics are not grounded in reality and are completely unhinged.”

To defend the project, Leavitt reminded reporters that Trump and other private donors are covering all costs of the $300 million construction, emphasizing that “it’s not going to cost taxpayers a dime.” She also showed historical photographs of past White House renovation projects to illustrate that presidents have long undertaken significant updates.

“These images look quite similar to what you and the American people are seeing today,” Leavitt said, pointing to images from the 1902 West Wing construction and the 1950s Truman-era renovations.

Fox News host Jesse Watters also framed Democrats’ criticism of the White House ballroom as “Ballroom Derangement Syndrome,” accusing the party of hypocrisy and extreme rhetoric.

Democrats criticize Trump’s demolition of East Wing

Some of President Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, denounced the demolition on social media.

“Ripping apart the White House just like he’s ripping apart the Constitution,” Newsom posted on X. 

“It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,” Clinton added.

The East Wing, a two-story section housing drawing rooms and offices,  was demolished earlier this week to make way for the new ballroom. The National Park Service said it provided historic preservation guidance and support, but final decisions rested with the Executive Office of the President.

During a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ballroom will be separate from the main White House building but will maintain an identical architectural heritage and theme.

Trump reiterated that the East Wing’s replacement marks a new chapter for the historic residence. “It will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!” he said.