Even on Fox News — Donald Trump’s favorite network — not everyone is applauding his latest White House move. During a broadcast this week of “The Five,” Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov took aim at the president’s plan to build a grand ballroom in the White House, calling it “gaudy and self-indulgent.”
Donald Trump is building a ballroom twice the size of the White House. He says it’s “his money,” but it’s really from companies chasing favors. Meanwhile, farmers can’t sell soybeans and the government’s shut down. This isn’t what Americans voted for. pic.twitter.com/2pjpraDPfN
— Jessica Tarlov (@JessicaTarlov) October 22, 2025
Tarlov’s comment stunned the famously pro-Trump panel for a moment. “Of course he wants a ballroom,” she said. “It’s just another reminder that he treats the presidency like a branding opportunity, not a public service.”
A fellow co-host did push back, praising the idea as “beautiful” and insisting Trump “understands elegance.” But the contrast between their perspectives quickly went viral. Clips of the exchange racked up hundreds of thousands of views online, with many viewers relishing the moment of candor on a network where criticism of Trump is rare.
Others highlighted the setting itself as part of the irony: Fox News, the cable channel Trump still lauds as “the real news,” became the platform for live mockery of his vanity project.
The exchange comes amid renewed attention to Trump’s taste for spectacle and self-promotion. From gold-plated interiors to campaign rallies styled as entertainment events, critics say the ballroom proposal fits a familiar pattern.
Still, this week’s moment stood out: a rare burst of dissent from inside Trump’s media stronghold — and a reminder that even friendly territory isn’t always safe from the occasional reality check.
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