Rep. Jasmine Crockett fact-checked on CNN after – Business News
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins corrected Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) after the congresswoman repeated a debunked declare that President Donald Trump’s high precedence during the federal government shutdown is building the new White House ballroom.
The tense exchange unfolded Monday evening on “The Source” as Crockett pivoted from a query concerning the shutdown to assault Trump’s East Wing renovation plans.
“The president has time to do everything but what he needs to focus on,” the lefty pol mentioned.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins (left) corrected Rep. Jasmine Crockett about a debunked declare that President Trump’s high precedence during the federal government shutdown was a $300 million White House ballroom. CNN
“In fact, we heard the press secretary say his main priority is the ballroom — the ballroom that no one asked for. The ballroom that requires him to destroy historic pieces of the White House.”
Collins rapidly interrupted to make clear that Crockett’s assertion took the White House’s earlier feedback out of context.
“Yeah, and that context of the comment from Karoline Leavitt — she was asked if the president was working on any other renovations when it came to the White House,” the anchor mentioned.
“And she was saying his focus was the ballroom.”
The fact-check got here after a week of confusion surrounding remarks by Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, which went viral when Acyn Torabi of the progressive outlet MeidasTouch shared them in a deceptive tweet.
At an Oct. 23 White House briefing, Leavitt was requested whether or not the president was contemplating “any other renovations or significant projects” past the new ballroom and Rose Garden patio.
She replied: “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly. And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”
Torabi posted a shortened model of that exchange on X, writing solely: “Leavitt: At this moment in time, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”
The clip racked up more than 2 million views and drew outrage from Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning commentators who accused Trump of pursuing self-importance initiatives whereas federal staff went unpaid.
The tense exchange unfolded Monday evening on “The Source” as Crockett pivoted from a query concerning the shutdown to assault Trump’s East Wing renovation plans. Getty Images
“Good to know,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in response.
“Honestly, you can’t make this s–t up,” mentioned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“Costs are exploding and people need relief,” chimed in Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).
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“If the President can take a break from knocking down the East Wing and ballroom planning, I’d love to show him our district where many of his supporters need his help.”
But the post’s framing was inaccurate, as Leavitt’s full response made clear she was referring particularly to renovation work — not the president’s governing agenda.
The tweet nonetheless unfold extensively throughout social media and cable segments earlier than being challenged by a number of retailers.
The White House has mentioned the enlargement is being financed fully by personal donors. Getty Images
The ballroom project itself has change into a lightning rod, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats who say it symbolizes misplaced priorities during a shutdown now approaching historic size.
The White House has mentioned the enlargement, with an estimated $300 million price tag, is being financed fully by personal donors.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has referred to as on all 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls to “tear down” the ballroom if elected.
Crockett’s workplace has not commented on the CNN interview or whether or not she plans to appropriate her remarks. The Texas Democrat earlier informed Collins she had “no idea” when the shutdown would possibly finish.
The Post has sought remark from Crockett.
