Josh Hawley schools CNN reporter over claims of Trump White House renovation destroying history

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley pushed back against criticism of President Donald Trump’s plan to tear down the White House’s East Wing.

He argued that many liberals had supported the destruction of historical artifacts during the protests following the death of George Floyd,  which, according to him, is hypocrisy when it comes to historical preservation.

Josh Hawley slams liberals for double standards on history

The clash of words occurred when CNN reporter Manu Raju questioned Senator Josh Hawley about President Donald Trump’s decision to tear down the East Wing of the White House complex this week to build a new ballroom.

The question seemingly carried an undertone that Trump was destroying an important piece of history. Hawley responded by highlighting that the far left had supported the destruction of statues of US historical figures in recent years.

"I made this point yesterday, that I hear all of a sudden from my liberal friends that they’re very concerned about our history. Really? These are the same people who tore down every statue they could get their hands on in the last four years," the lawmaker said.

Stressing the building’s significance, Raju asked Hawley, "What about just uprooting the, you know, this is an iconic building?"

"Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt. They didn’t have any concern for history then. Now, all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘Oh, the facade of the East Wing is iconic,’" Hawley said.

"Oh, give me a break. I mean, give me a break," Hawley replied, pointing to the Black Lives Matter protests that took place in 2020, which led to the destruction of monuments of US historical figures. 

Critics slam Trump’s White House demolition amid ballroom project

As part of the ballroom project, the construction crew began demolition on Monday, October 20. After images of the demolition surfaced, historic preservation groups, several lawmakers, and social media users immediately criticized the move.

Following the backlash, the White House issued a statement defending the demolition, saying the new ballroom is a privately funded addition meant to “echo the storied history of improvements and additions by presidents to the executive residence.”

The statement labeled the criticisms as “unhinged,” accusing media outlets of overreacting. 

Karoline Leavitt defends Trump’s East Wing demolition plan

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, October 23, defended the renovation project. When asked why the administration did not announce that the East Wing would be rebuilt, Leavitt said, “With any construction project, changes come. And we have informed all of you."

She added, "We’ve been keeping you apprised of this project. We’ve shown you the renderings. And if you look at the renderings, it’s very clear the East Wing was going to be modernized.”

Leavitt clarified that “the plans changed when the president heard counsel from the architects and the construction companies who said that in order for this East Wing to be modern and beautiful for many, many years to come, for it to be a truly strong and stable structure, this phase one that we’re now in was necessary,” she said.

“The president wants to do right by the people’s house. And so that’s exactly what he’s doing. It’s going to be much more stable, strong, secure, and more beautiful than ever once it’s complete,” she added.