Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed strong criticism of President Donald Trump’s renovation of the White House ballroom during her appearance on Jon Stewart’s “The Weekly Show” podcast on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Her comments come amid an ongoing government shutdown.
“Are you ****ing kidding me?” Harris said during the podcast, sources confirm. Harris accused Trump of prioritizing a ballroom for wealthy donors over addressing the risk of Americans losing federal food assistance benefits.
Continuing her criticism, Harris suggested that Trump was neglecting vulnerable populations. She pointed to the expiration of SNAP benefits and questioned the focus on construction rather than addressing hunger issues affecting families nationwide.
Harris appeared on the podcast to promote her new book, “107 Days,” which details her experiences in the White House and her relationship with former President Joe Biden during the 2024 election campaign. The discussion with Stewart touched on topics such as her loyalty to Biden and his potential to serve another term.
When Stewart inquired about Biden’s ability to serve another four years, Harris affirmed that the former president was capable of fulfilling presidential duties. She distinguished between the demands of campaigning and serving in office, likening the campaign trail to a marathon run at a sprinter’s pace.
Stewart expressed surprise at Harris’ defense of Biden’s capability, highlighting that many Americans consider the presidency equally demanding as campaigning. This exchange underscored ongoing debates about Biden’s age and stamina as he approached the 2024 election.
Harris acknowledged the complexity of her relationship with Biden during the election. She expressed that she cared for him and chose not to add to the criticism he faced, though this may have limited her ability to differentiate her own positions during the campaign.
The White House asserts that the ballroom expansion, estimated at around $300 million, is funded entirely by private donations and not taxpayer money. The project involves demolishing the East Wing to build the new facility.
The ballroom project has been a focal point of Democratic criticism during the government shutdown. However, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that Democrats had voted 13 times to keep the government shut down as of Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Thune indicated that ending the shutdown and ensuring food assistance would require Democratic support for the bill, which would necessitate five votes. The Senate initially failed to reopen the government in a 54-45 vote on Tuesday, October 28, but on Monday, November 10, on the 41st day of the government shutdown, it approved a funding package to end the shutdown and sent it to the House for final approval
During the Stewart interview, Harris was asked if Democrats could learn from Trump’s governance approach. She disagreed, arguing that disruption should not be equated with destruction.
Harris’ appearance on the podcast was part of her book tour, which included stops at university bookstores and campuses across the nation. The tour attracted attention for various interactions, including with hecklers and other political figures.
Harris mentioned that she and Biden maintain occasional contact and remain on good terms despite the complexities of their campaign relationship.
The podcast episode aired amid broader tensions in Washington over government funding and social programs. Construction photos obtained by news outlets show the East Wing of the White House under renovation as of Monday, October 20, 2025.
Harris’ use of profanity during the interview marked a departure from typical political discourse. Some observers noted that Democratic figures have increasingly used casual language in media appearances aimed at younger audiences. Her direct comments drew attention on social media following the release of the podcast.
