At the center of the controversy is Trump’s planned 90,000-square-foot bulletproof ballroom, a new addition to the White House complex reportedly carrying a price tag of nearly $300 million. Construction on the sprawling facility — designed to host state dinners, foreign delegations, and campaign-style events — has faced multiple delays, with no official completion date announced.

During a press conference in Sacramento, Newsom accused the president of “living in a fantasy of opulence” while millions of Americans face food insecurity and delayed paychecks due to the government shutdown.

“While American families go hungry and federal workers are struggling to pay rent, the president is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a ballroom no one asked for,” Newsom said. “It tells you everything about his priorities.”

The remarks come as Newsom continues to raise his national profile, recently admitting he is giving “serious thought” to a 2028 presidential run. Political observers say his latest criticism of Trump underscores his effort to position himself as a leading Democratic counterweight to the president, who remains deeply polarizing amid widespread economic and political uncertainty.

Trump, 79, has defended the ballroom project as part of a broader modernization of the White House intended to “strengthen security and preserve America’s historic seat of leadership.” However, cost overruns and a lack of transparency have fueled bipartisan criticism. Several lawmakers have demanded an accounting of how the project is being funded while essential government programs remain shuttered.

The government shutdown, now entering its fourth week, has halted pay for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and frozen numerous public assistance programs, including food and housing aid. Newsom’s comments reflect growing frustration among Democratic leaders who accuse Trump of prioritizing vanity projects and political theater over practical governance.

“He’s building a ballroom while people can’t afford groceries,” Newsom said. “That’s not leadership — that’s self-indulgence.”

The White House has not issued an official response to Newsom’s remarks, but aides close to the president have previously dismissed criticism of the project as “politically motivated,” claiming it will ultimately serve as a “showcase for American greatness.”

As the standoff in Washington drags on, Newsom’s attack signals the deepening partisan divide over not just how the country is being governed, but what its leaders choose to prioritize during a time of national strain.