In a move critics are calling his Marie Antoinette moment, President Trump has unveiled plans for a $200 million gold-accented ballroom at the White House — just weeks after cutting Medicaid, stripping health insurance from 17 million Americans. The announcement confirmed that construction on the extravagant ballroom will begin this fall, attached to the East Wing. The White House insists the project will be privately funded.
But the timing has ignited outrage, especially among those already struggling with medical costs and economic instability. Trump, however, has defended the plan, calling it a “legacy project,” adding, “When it rains, it’s a disaster,” referring to the inconvenience of past outdoor events. The administration says the 90,000-square-foot ballroom will match historic White House design and accommodate up to 650 guests.
Still, the backlash was swift and started the “Let them eat cake” trend online, with users likening the move to the excesses of Versailles and the monarchy that sparked the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette was rumored to have said, “Let them eat cake,” when told the poor had no bread. Though she likely never uttered the words, they came to symbolize elite indifference in the face of public suffering. That moment in history fueled rage and helped ignite the French Revolution. Now, critics say Trump’s decision to build a gold ballroom — while millions lose healthcare — echoes that same kind of callousness.
One viral post read:
“Listen, man, if you wanna live in the palace of Versailles, then that’s fine, but you can’t act surprised when the people eventually start sharpening the guillotine.”
Others were more direct:
“Americans out here working 50 & 60 hrs a week with multiple jobs. Juggling bills, food, and necessities. Living from paycheck to paycheck. Going through natural disasters one after the other, and this is what this piece of is doing.”
Critics also pointed to Trump’s obsession with gold-plated decor, from the Oval Office to the now-paved-over Rose Garden. For many in the LGBTQ+ community already navigating healthcare barriers, the symbolism of golden halls built over basic needs is a bitter pill to swallow. Gay Twitter is full of comments calling the White House the new Mar-a-lago north. And it wasn’t a compliment.
