Rapper Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known as Lil Wayne, threw his support behind President Trump's plan to build a White House ballroom, arguing the current reliance on outdoor venues is inadequate for high-profile events. During a Monday appearance on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, the Grammy-winning artist said he was relieved to hear Trump address the issue.
"I'm so glad to hear Trump say — when they was mad at him about building the ballroom — and he was like, everything we do we have to do it on the damn lawn," Carter said, echoing frustrations he experienced firsthand. "So people who don't know nothing, [are] hearing that thinking he's just being Trump — no, for real, I was glad to hear him saying that."
Carter's remarks stem from his 2023 performance at former Vice President Kamala Harris's 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop party, held at the vice-presidential residence, Number One Observatory Circle. He mistakenly believed he was performing at the White House and described the event as a "backyard barbeque," expressing surprise that he was never invited inside.
In fact, many large-scale White House events, including those with heightened security, are staged on the South Lawn. Trump has argued that an indoor ballroom would better accommodate dignitaries and major gatherings, especially after the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting earlier this year raised security concerns.
"It will be magnificent, safe, and secure!" Trump wrote on Truth Social in May, defending the project. He claimed the expansion was "done long ago" and accused the media of misreporting costs, saying it was "coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget!"
However, lawmakers have raised alarms as the projected cost ballooned from $200 million to $600 million. Trump countered that the increase reflects a larger, higher-quality design—roughly double the original size—necessary to handle events, meetings, and even future inaugurations. The ballroom is being funded through a mix of private donors and taxpayer dollars.
The controversy comes amid broader political tensions. In a related development, Representative Ted Lieu sarcastically urged Trump to campaign in swing districts, while a Secret Service officer who thwarted an assassination attempt on Trump is set to receive a WHCA award. Meanwhile, Trump has held back $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over fraud allegations, and Senator Thune has questioned the president's latest tariff escalation against Canada.
For now, the White House ballroom remains a flashpoint—both for its soaring costs and for what it symbolizes about the administration's priorities. Lil Wayne's endorsement adds a pop-culture dimension to the debate, but the underlying fiscal and security questions persist.
