 "Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks about shutdown, with fellow senate Republicans next to him, after a Rose Garden Club lunch, hosted by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on Tuesday. Reuters")
As the federal government shutdown stretched into its third week with no end in sight, President Donald Trump hosted a lunch for Republican senators in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, using the occasion to defend his controversial $250 million White House ballroom project — and take a pointed swipe at Sen. Rand Paul.
During the gathering, Trump discussed the ongoing demolition of the White House East Wing and took a moment to call out Sen. Paul, the only Republican senator absent from the event.
“We’re just missing one person. You’ll never guess who that is,” The Hill quoted Trump as saying, taking a jab at Paul.
“He automatically votes no on everything. He thinks it’s good politics. It’s not good politics,” Trump added.
Trump dismissed criticism over the partial demolition of the White House to make way for a new ballroom, describing the construction noise as “music to my ears.”
Democrats have accused the former president of showing a lack of respect for the historic residence after images surfaced of excavators tearing into the East Wing’s facade.
As the demolition progressed on Tuesday, they also condemned his decision to proceed with the $250 million project amid a government shutdown and soaring living costs.
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More ShortsHowever, the 79-year-old real estate mogul defended the renovation, insisting it was necessary and claiming it would be privately funded.
“We’re building a world-class ballroom. For 150 years they’ve wanted a ballroom,” AFP quoted Trump a telling the Republican senators, as the sounds of construction rumbled in the background.
“You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back. You hear that sound? Oh, that’s music to my ears. I love that sound.”
Trump, who built his fortune in real estate, added: “When I hear that sound it reminds me of money. In this case it reminds of lack of money because I’m paying for it.”
The US president has said that he is partly funding work on the giant ballroom while private and corporate donors will cover the rest.
Last week, Trump hosted a glitzy dinner for donors with guests including several top US tech firms, but the White House has not released a list yet or given any figures.
With inputs from agencies