Donald Trump Jr reminds Hillary Clinton of White House silverware scandal amid renovation row

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, defended their father’s White House Ballroom renovation both on television and on X.

The Trump brothers’ remarks came Hillary Clinton criticized the renovation effort on X, writing, “It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”

Hillary Clinton’s silverware scandal resurfaces 

Donald Trump Jr. responded by invoking the 2001 scandal involving the Clintons and White House furnishings. He posted, "Says the woman that literally had to return the furniture and silverware that she stole from The White House on the way out. Hey Crooked, you may want to sit this one out."

The “silverware scandal” refers to reports that the Clintons took about $28,000 worth of White House items paid for by private donors when they left office. They later repaid the federal government $86,000 for other gifts.

Hillary Clintons issued statement in defense in 2001

In 2001, the Clintons released a statement defending themselves, saying, “Gifts did not leave the White House without the approval of the White House usher’s and curator’s offices." 

Hillary Clinton also addressed the matter at the time, “Of course, if the White House now determines that a cataloging error occurred, any item in question will be returned. All of these items were considered gifts to us. That’s what the permanent record of the White House showed. But if there is a different intent, we will certainly honor the intention of the donor.” 

Eric Trump and Ted Cruz extend support to Donald Trump Jr

Following his brother’s post, Eric Trump joined in, writing, “The ballroom will be spectacular… unlike your work in Haiti.” 

His comment referred to criticisms that the Clinton Foundation mishandled funds meant for Haiti’s earthquake relief in 2010. Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in, tweeting, “At least he didn’t steal the silverware.”

Despite social media backlash over photos of the demolition, the Trump administration has continued to praise the project. In a recent X post, the White House quoted President Trump saying, “The finest ballroom ever built. We’re doing it at no cost to the country… in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.”