On Monday, October 27, 2025, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow delivered a notable critique of her corporate parent, specifically naming Comcast for its financial support of President Donald Trump’s contentious White House ballroom project.
The remarks were part of a broader discussion on the alignment of corporations with the Trump administration and the potential impacts on their reputations. Maddow highlighted Comcast’s donation to Trump’s ballroom construction, a project costing over $250 million that involves demolishing the East Wing of the White House.
During his second term, Trump initiated comprehensive renovations at the White House, including a lavish gold redesign of the Oval Office, replacing the Rose Garden’s lawn with pavement, and undertaking the demolition of the East Wing to build a large ballroom.
Maddow informed viewers that corporations, like their parent company, which she described as being their parent “for another hot minute,” should be aware of the reputational costs involved when supporting Trump’s demolition of White House sections. She suggested that there could be financial repercussions for companies acting contrary to American values or in favor of the public interest over the Trump administration.
Her comment regarding Comcast as MSNBC’s parent company “for another hot minute” refers to the upcoming separation between the network and its long-time parent. MSNBC will rebrand as MS NOW on November 15, marking the end of its nearly three-decade association with NBC and Comcast.
Comcast’s contribution was reportedly made while facing scrutiny from the Trump administration over its interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, which recently announced its availability for sale.
At 52, Maddow, who accepted a $5 million pay cut with her show now airing weekly, urged viewers to continue opposing the ballroom project.
Her colleagues Lawrence O’Donnell and Stephanie Ruhle have also criticized Comcast on air, following the White House’s release of its donor list for the project last week.
In July, Trump stated that the new ballroom would be funded through private contributions, including his own, at an estimated cost of about $200 million. This figure was revised to $250 million in September and further updated to $300 million in October. Trump assured that the project would not alter the original structure and would honor the site’s historical significance. However, images of extensive demolition have raised doubts about these assurances.
According to Trump, the new ballroom will host approximately 1,000 guests and provide expansive views of the Washington Monument. He described it as the nation’s best ballroom, intended for state dinners, formal events, and cultural showcases.
The donor list released by the White House and published by Fortune includes 37 contributors, among them major tech companies, firms with government contracts, and individuals affiliated with the administration.
Included on the list are Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, and other donors. Notably, Trump’s name is absent from the list.
