{"id":1931715,"date":"2026-05-12T18:55:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931715"},"modified":"2026-05-12T18:55:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:55:48","slug":"donald-trump-calls-reporter-dumb-person-for-white-house-ballroom-cost-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931715","title":{"rendered":"Donald Trump Calls Reporter &#8216;Dumb Person&#8217; for White House Ballroom Cost Question"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/b7\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/b7e6a584ba35487ca2a995b77ca15e00_xl.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"article article--permalink \">\n<header class=\"article__header\">\n<h1 class=\"article__header--headline-title\">Donald Trump Calls Reporter &#8216;Dumb Person&#8217; for White House Ballroom Cost Question<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article__header--headline-fragments\"><span class=\"article__header--hf1 text-uppercase h3\">Donald Trump<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf2 text-uppercase h1\">Unloads on &#8216;Dumb&#8217; Reporter &#8230;<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf3 text-none h2\">Over Ballroom Question<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"social-media-container\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"social social--sm\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\"><\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tmz.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"js-track-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"google-preferred-btn\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tmz.com\/tmz-web\/img\/article\/google-preferred-source.png\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/pages\/about\/\">TMZ Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"date-wrapper\">\n                                                                        Published <time class=\"published-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-05-12T11:55:48-07:00\"><br \/>\n                              May 12, 2026<br \/>\n                            11:55 AM PDT<\/time><span class=\"divider\">|<\/span><br \/>\n                                                                Updated <time class=\"updated-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-05-12T12:56:01-07:00\"><br \/>\n                                  May 12, 2026<br \/>\n                                12:56 PM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\">\n<section id=\"cb-c3593f0ec951148e014ad80f20bae0a9\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-video-block canvas-video-block-permalink canvas-video-block--default  canvas-block-is-first \">\n<div class=\"video-block\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\">\n<div id=\"video-player-dc8751fe-dca1-4446-9d90-92af531429de-426276909-image-holder\" class=\"ratio ratio-item video-block__image-holder\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/6d\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/6d34ae3e88364bfd811e47b7e92ec521_md.png\" alt=\"051226 donald trump ballroom kal\" width=\"728\" height=\"410\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer id=\"video-player-dc8751fe-dca1-4446-9d90-92af531429de-426276909-footer\" class=\"media-footer video-block__media-footer\"><span class=\"media-launch-text video-block__media-launch-text\">ON THE ATTACK<\/span><\/footer>\n<div class=\"video-block__media-info\">\n<div class=\"video-block__media-permalink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/watch\/2026-05-12-051226-donald-trump-ballroom-2278788-754\/\">Video: Donald Trump Calls Reporter &#8216;Dumb Person&#8217; for White House Ballroom Cost Question<\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-credit video-block__media-credit\">Fox News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-8fd8234b2bd0ca06c43942f70500fc15\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/donald-trump\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Donald Trump<\/strong><\/a> tore into reporter <strong>Akayla Gardner<\/strong> during a White House press event &#8230; calling her a &#8220;dumb person&#8221; while defending the soaring cost of his new ballroom project.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-7a5cabf4ae90884dcaf91c389844b86d\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Watch the clip &#8230; Trump insisted the ballroom is still &#8220;under budget&#8221; and is ahead of schedule &#8230; explaining he&#8217;s doubled the size of it. But when a reporter pointed out the cost had doubled too, Trump unloaded.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-51486cccaf632764d801ed93b2921393\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20260428_ab2622b9070e4ac08a628c911e73bf4f\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:14eeea54-c3ab-42c6-b2c3-ca5e4403fa5c\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/ab\/4by3\/2026\/04\/28\/ab2622b9070e4ac08a628c911e73bf4f_md.jpg\" alt=\"WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM RENDERING white house\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">White House<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-94eba3fbc4c36c087a1e91d52366f6f5\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>&#8220;I doubled the size of it, you dumb person,&#8221; Trump snapped &#8230; before adding, &#8220;You are not a smart person.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-1e6b76338ea7973799dbcf62dcc91716\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_png_20260512_5c9140e558c54081b04e0ad84c38b229\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:14eeea54-c3ab-42c6-b2c3-ca5e4403fa5c\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/5c\/4by3\/2026\/05\/12\/5c9140e558c54081b04e0ad84c38b229_md.png\" alt=\"sub donald trump getty\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-8ff84fe5ad2669924d8a63e301cfad91\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Trump&#8217;s massive new White House ballroom &#8212; which he repeatedly called a privately funded gift with &#8220;ZERO taxpayer funding&#8221; &#8212; is now tied to a proposed $1 billion taxpayer-funded security package. The 90,000-square-foot venue under construction will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2025\/10\/23\/white-house-trolls-former-presidents-scandals-on-website\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>replace<\/strong><\/a> the East Wing and was originally pitched as being paid for entirely through private donations and corporate contributions.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-69c80ae7f68cc0bfcbc4495077d01b48\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>But administration filings reportedly show the project includes an underground medical facility and a bomb shelter &#8230; with the Trump administration arguing the added security costs became necessary after the recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/04\/25\/shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>assassination attempt<\/strong><\/a> at the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-89567e253e871f1e5da80a5106fdd762\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-video-block canvas-video-block-permalink canvas-video-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"video-block\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\">\n<div id=\"video-player-127eaab6-2ebd-4575-beaf-7aa08fc7a988-949524481-image-holder\" class=\"ratio ratio-item video-block__image-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/e0\/16by9\/2026\/04\/26\/e0fc1bf11abd4c0781b31e51c30ad4aa_md.jpg\" alt=\"trump-speaks-kal-04-25-2026\" width=\"728\" height=\"410\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer id=\"video-player-127eaab6-2ebd-4575-beaf-7aa08fc7a988-949524481-footer\" class=\"media-footer video-block__media-footer\"><span class=\"media-launch-text video-block__media-launch-text\">SUSPECT APPREHENDED<\/span><\/footer>\n<div class=\"video-block__media-info\">\n<div class=\"video-block__media-permalink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/watch\/2026-04-26-042526-trump-speaks-2270796-094\/\">Video: President Trump Gives Comments After White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner Shooting<\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-credit video-block__media-credit\">Fox 5 DC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-19d49036cec839435a18123b712d131f\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Democrats say taxpayers were misled about the true cost &#8230; while Republicans have defended the spending as necessary presidential protection.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-3bf39c896ffc4623570b6eb040d8a77d\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>The ballroom may be expanding &#8230; but apparently, Trump&#8217;s patience is shrinking.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<ul class=\"social social--permalink\">\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--facebook js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/12\/donald-trump-calls-reporter-dumb-person\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:14eeea54-c3ab-42c6-b2c3-ca5e4403fa5c\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"facebook-footer\",\"pos\":1}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--x js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/12\/donald-trump-calls-reporter-dumb-person\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:14eeea54-c3ab-42c6-b2c3-ca5e4403fa5c\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"twitter-footer\",\"pos\":2}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on X<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"related-articles\">\n<header class=\"card-section-header related-articles__card-section-header\">\n<h3 class=\"card-section-title related-articles__card-section-title\">\n              Related articles<br \/>\n            <\/h3>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"row related-articles__row\">\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/12\/donald-trump-posts-ai-images\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:14eeea54-c3ab-42c6-b2c3-ca5e4403fa5c\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"related-article\",\"pos\":1}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/90\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/90a6c5c0578d46839f69351ffc50f4ba_xs.jpg\" alt=\"main-donald-trump-getty-1\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        Trump Goes on Wild A.I. 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src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/b7\/16by9\/2026\/05\/12\/b7e6a584ba35487ca2a995b77ca15e00_xl.png&#8221;] Donald Trump Calls Reporter &#8216;Dumb Person&#8217; for White House Ballroom Cost Question Donald TrumpUnloads on &#8216;Dumb&#8217; Reporter &#8230;Over Ballroom Question By TMZ Staff Published May 12, 2026 11:55 AM PDT| Updated May 12, 2026 12:56 PM PDT ON THE ATTACK Video: Donald Trump Calls Reporter &#8216;Dumb Person&#8217; for White House Ballroom Cost [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,77],"class_list":["post-1931715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tmz-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931715\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}