3S.Stephen Colbert erupts in disbelief as Donald Trump’s newest ‘vanity project’ leaves even critics speechless

Television personality Stephen Colbert criticized President Donald Trump’s latest building plans this week, calling his proposed $200 million White House ballroom a “big dumb vanity project.”

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The Late Show host addressed the plans during his show, where he also reacted to Trump’s announcement of a separate arch that would be built in Washington, D.C. Trump recently unveiled plans for both projects, beginning with the ballroom, which is already under construction on the East Wing of the White House.

Stephen Colbert slams Trump (Image: Getty)

Colbert’s audience began to boo when he brought up the projects, but he stopped them. “No, it’s actually lovely,” he said. “It’s actually a set of two arches, and I’m told we have the architectural rendering.” He then displayed an image of Trump’s proposed monument before adding, “Announcing your own triumphal arch is textbook dictator.

The new 90,000-square-foot addition is expected to accommodate nearly 1,000 guests and will feature bulletproof glass, marble floors, and gold detailing.

The White House has said the project will be paid for by private donors rather than taxpayer money. It marks one of the largest structural changes to the building in more than a century.

The arch project, which Trump reportedly introduced at a recent White House donor dinner, would be located near the Lincoln Memorial, in the roundabout at Memorial Circle.

Trump announced latest rennovation projects (Image: Getty)

According to reports, the arch would be topped with a statue of Lady Liberty or possibly a golden angel figure, and Trump said leftover funds from the ballroom could be used to help cover construction costs. Renderings presented at the dinner showed three possible sizes, with Trump allegedly preferring the largest version.

Architectural experts have said the arch proposal would face extensive reviews from the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, as any new permanent monument in Washington requires federal approval.

Preservationists have also raised concerns about disrupting the landscape of the National Mall, while Trump’s supporters have argued that the addition would give the city a new landmark comparable to Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.

The ballroom plan has already drawn criticism for its cost and for the removal of trees around the White House grounds to make room for the construction.

Trump, however, has dismissed the backlash, describing the project as part of a broader effort to “modernize and beautify” the executive residence.

Colbert ended his segment by mocking the scale of Trump’s ambitions. “Big dumb vanity project,” he repeated. “Announcing your own triumphal arch is textbook dictator.”