Trump treats reporters to breakfast at WH ballroom construction site: ‘I figured I’d be nice to you’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 19, invited reporters to breakfast during a tour of the White House ballroom construction site, where he also addressed questions about the ongoing project and its funding. A photo shared by Trump's communications adviser Margo Martin on X showed breakfast sandwiches, bottled water, and Diet Coke arranged for journalists attending the visit.

Standing near the ongoing construction work on the White House grounds, Trump invited members of the press to eat while inspecting progress on the new ballroom. Trump told reporters. “We have a little bit of a breakfast for you,' jokingly adding, “don’t eat too much of it, enjoy.”

Trump references relationship with press during breakfast moment

Martin, sharing the photos from the event on X, wrote, “President Donald Trump asked the White House chef to make breakfast sandwiches for the press who are viewing the ballroom construction this morning.”

Trump directed reporters toward a breakfast spread prepared for members of the media. “We have a little breakfast for you,” Trump told reporters. “We have a little bit of a breakfast for you. I figured I’d be nice to you for a change.”

The comment came a few days after Trump criticized a reporter aboard Air Force One during an exchange about the Iran war. During the interaction, the president lashed out at David Sanger over questions related to the conflict. “I had a total military victory, but the fake news, guys like you, write incorrectly,” Trump said. “We had a total military victory. I actually think it’s sort of treasonous what you write. You should be ashamed of yourself. I actually think it’s treason.”

A spokesperson for The New York Times responded, “Reporting isn’t treason. It’s foundational to a free press and the work that America’s founders wrote the First Amendment to protect.”

Trump defends White House ballroom project

During the tour, Trump also defended the construction of the new White House ballroom, insisting the project was being financed personally by him and would not place a financial burden on taxpayers.

Standing amid the sounds of hammers and heavy construction equipment, Trump described the ballroom as a major architectural addition to the White House complex and dismissed criticism surrounding the project’s cost and political controversy.

“All of this paid for by myself,” Trump told reporters while touring the site. He repeatedly referred to the ballroom as a “gift” and emphasized that taxpayer money was not being used for the construction itself.

The president also spoke in detail about the design and functionality of the structure, portraying it as both an aesthetic and strategic improvement to the White House grounds. Construction was also an activity that was visibly underway during Trump’s remarks, with large machinery operating near the site as workers continued building the facility.