Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb on Monday delivered a blistering critique of President Trump's planned ballroom at the White House, likening the historic property's transformation to a "combination of a whorehouse and Las Vegas."
Cobb, who served in the White House counsel's office during Trump's first term, made the remarks on CNN's "OutFront" shortly after the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling that allowed construction to proceed. The decision reversed a lower court's injunction that had blocked the project pending congressional approval.
Cobb: 'Tragic' changes to a historic setting
Reflecting on his time in the White House, Cobb said the building's beauty and historical significance were deeply meaningful to him. "It certainly touched me because, as somebody who had spent a lot of time in the White House and in or about the grounds, you know, it was a beautiful setting and a historic setting," he said.
He went on to lament the current trajectory: "It's turning into some combination of a whorehouse and Las Vegas at this stage of the game with all the golden paving of it. It's tragic what's going on. But sadly, it's gonna continue, at least for the time being."
Supreme Court splits over standing
The ruling split the court along ideological lines. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by the three liberal justices, dissented, writing that the White House "is not just any building" and that its "symbolism and history are wrapped up in its architecture." The five conservative justices, including three Trump appointees, concluded that the National Trust for Historic Preservation likely lacked standing to sue.
The decision does not definitively settle whether Trump has the legal authority to construct the ballroom, and the case could return to the Supreme Court. The high court's ruling effectively greenlights continued work for now.
Trump celebrates the ruling
Trump quickly celebrated the decision on Truth Social, claiming the project is "under budget and ahead of schedule" and predicting that the ballroom and an accompanying military complex would be something "the entire Country is very proud of." He added, "We are living in the Golden Age of America, and this Building will be one of the Greatest ever constructed in Washington, D.C."
The president demolished the East Wing last fall to make way for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom and has taken a hands-on role in the design and construction.
Cobb's criticism comes amid broader concerns about the administration's approach to historic preservation and executive authority. The project has drawn scrutiny from preservationists and legal scholars, who argue that altering the White House's iconic structure without congressional approval sets a troubling precedent. Trump's personal involvement in the details has also raised eyebrows.
As the legal fight continues, the ballroom's fate remains uncertain. But for now, construction is set to proceed, much to the dismay of Cobb and others who see the project as a desecration of a national symbol.
