President Donald Trump summoned the press pool for an unscheduled viewing of the ongoing White House ballroom construction on Tuesday, claiming that the guest space and security facilities are both critical components of the project.
Trump, speaking while construction workers hammered away in the background, reiterated that he and private donors were fully funding the ballroom itself, even as he conceded that an appropriations bill Republicans are seeking to pass will go to enhance security for the entire complex.
The president specifically touted the complex’s ability to stop bullets and other strikes, telling reporters that “it can stop just about anything.”
Trump also drew attention to what he referred to as a “drone port” that will be located just below the roof of the building.
“We call it a drone port,” he said. “It’s set up for an unlimited number of drones. Purposely, we don’t have any air conditioning equipment up there, because we don’t want anything coming down through the pipes. All of the equipment is inside of the building, and that’s for safety reasons.”
The president faced a number of questions on why the White House security and military enhancements must be completed in conjunction with the ballroom, to which he claimed that the latter “becomes a shield for everything that you see.”
“It’s a shield that will totally protect what’s downstairs,” Trump said.
Trump also reiterated that the ballroom was being funded by himself and private donors, though the White House declined to say how much the president has given.
“We are making a gift of this one. This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” the president said. “It’s going to be one of the most beautiful buildings that’s ever been built in the country, or in Washington, D.C.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WASN’T INVOLVED IN CREATION OF $1.776 BILLION FUND FOR LAWFARE VICTIMS
You can watch Trump’s comments in full below.
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