Couch Money': Bill Maher and John Fetterman Defend the Cost of Trump's Ballroom

"Maher said it doesn't make sense to get angry about it when the project will cost the equivalent of couch money to taxpayers. The comic and senator talked about the ballroom at the start of Monday's latest episode of Club Random. This thing won't even be finished by the time he's done! Fetterman said. He then quipped Trump wasn't building a Dave and Buster[s], which Maher got a kick out of. Meanwhile the money is like one angstrom unit of a percentage point of what our budget is. So it doesn't matter anyway, Maher said."

"Fetterman said the pushback against the ballroom ultimately boiled down to TDS or Trump Derangement Syndrome infecting the Democratic Party. If he came out [in favor] for ice cream and lazy Sundays, we would f*ckin' hate it, Fetterman said. Trump last week said the ballroom would cost less than $400 million, and he has touted in the past it will be funded by donations from companies like Meta and Apple. Some Republicans proposed last week adding $1 billion for security enhancements to the budget, but that dough hasn't been approved yet."

"Meanwhile the money is like one angstrom unit of a percentage point of what our budget is. So it doesn't matter anyway, Maher said. He added the price tag for the ballroom doesn't sound outlandish to him. $330 million is about what a ballroom costs, Maher said. That was right after Fetterman said he spent $330 million on his campaign in 2022 and that campaigns have only gotten more expensive. The ballroom has a purpose, a lot of senators you work with do not, Maher said."

"Trump has pushed for the ballroom to get finished, saying it is necessary following the third assassination attempt against him last month at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Maher and Fetterman took turns defending the White House ballroom that President Donald Trump is building. Maher said it doesn't make sense to get angry about it when the project will cost the equivalent of couch money to taxpayers. Fetterman said the pushback against the ballroom ultimately boiled down to TDS infecting the Democratic Party."

Bill Maher and Sen. John Fetterman defended the White House ballroom project and questioned why it should provoke anger. Maher said the cost is comparable to “couch money” relative to the overall federal budget and argued $330 million is not outlandish for a ballroom. Fetterman said the ballroom has a purpose, unlike many political efforts, and suggested opposition stems from Trump Derangement Syndrome. Maher noted the project’s price and compared it to campaign spending that has grown more expensive. Trump has claimed the ballroom will cost under $400 million and may be supported by corporate donations. Some Republicans proposed additional security funding, but it has not been approved. Trump wants the project completed, citing security needs after an assassination attempt.

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