Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found herself at the center of social media mockery on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after criticizing President Donald Trump’s construction of a massive ballroom at the White House. Critics were quick to remind Clinton of her own controversial history with White House property when she and former President Bill Clinton left the Executive Mansion in 2001.
Clinton took to social media to express her disapproval of the demolition work that began Monday on the East Wing of the White House to make way for Trump’s $250 million ballroom project. “It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,” she wrote on X, accompanying her post with an image from The Washington Post showing rubble piling up as demolition crews stripped the facade off the East Wing.
Historic-preservation groups say the demolition bypasses full oversight review and compromises the White House’s architectural integrity.
The response from conservatives and Trump supporters was swift and pointed. Texas Senator Ted Cruz responded directly to Clinton’s criticism with a pointed reminder of past controversies. Cruz referenced the 2001 furniture scandal, in which the Clintons took approximately $28,000 in White House furnishings from donors. The couple also paid $86,000 to the federal government for other gifts they had received upon leaving office.
At the time of the 2001 incident, the Clintons maintained that gifts had not left the White House without approval from the White House usher’s and curator’s offices. Hillary Clinton indicated then that all items were considered gifts to them based on the permanent White House record, but stated they would honor the donor’s intention if there was any confusion about the cataloging.
Writer Mark Hemingway drew attention to multiple Clinton controversies in his social media response, alluding to allegations that the Clintons had raked in millions in campaign contributions by offering high-dollar donors overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom. He also referenced the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal involving Bill Clinton and a White House intern.
Former White House staffer Alex Pfeiffer quipped sarcastically that a Clinton would never defile the White House. Conservative columnist David Harsanyi joined the chorus, remarking that he remembered when the Clintons stole furniture and tableware from the Executive Mansion.
Missouri Representative Eric Burlison suggested there was a Clinton scandal corresponding to every tweet she sent. Meanwhile, Eric Trump, the president’s son, took a dig at the Clintons’ work in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, stating the ballroom would be spectacular, unlike their efforts there.
Some observers noted that White House renovations are common practice, with new presidents and first ladies often adding personal touches to the historic property. Journalist Salena Zito noted that nearly every president has undertaken renovations, including the Clintons, who featured their own extensive White House updates in a 1993 spread in House Beautiful magazine. Zito also clarified that the East Wing facade being demolished was not part of the original White House structure but was added in 1942 under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The planned 90,000-square-foot White House State Ballroom will accommodate approximately 650 seated guests upon completion of construction. Trump announced the project on Truth Social Monday, emphasizing that the ballroom would be completely separate from the White House itself and that the East Wing was being fully modernized as part of the process. The project is expected to be completed before Trump leaves office in 2029.
The administration has emphasized that the ballroom construction is being funded entirely through private donations and will not cost taxpayers any money. White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded directly to Clinton’s criticism, describing her as a failed presidential candidate who had to return furniture she stole from the White House, only to be forced to give it back. Ingle contrasted this with Trump’s efforts, stating the president was restoring the White House to its proper glory for Americans to enjoy for generations to come at no expense to taxpayers.
Photos circulating on social media and in news reports showed demolition crews actively working on the East Wing, with windows gutted in preparation for the massive construction project. The images accompanied widespread media coverage of both the construction itself and the ensuing controversy over Clinton’s remarks.
Donald Trump Jr. also weighed in on the matter, reminding social media users that Clinton had been forced to return furniture and silverware she had taken from the White House when leaving office. He suggested she should sit out commenting on White House modifications, given her own history with the property.
