The hosts of The View are turning up the heat on the White House over a new remodeling project — the construction of a $250 million ballroom — calling it an “outrageous display of opulence” at a time when millions of Americans are facing economic hardship.

The discussion unfolded during Tuesday’s episode of the hit daytime talk show, where the panelists — Whoopi Goldberg, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin — criticized what they described as “bad optics” and “elitist priorities” behind the grand construction.

The ballroom project, reportedly initiated by the former president, has sparked widespread backlash, not for its design, but for what it symbolizes: lavish spending in an era of financial struggle.

The controversy began when The View aired a clip of the former president proudly touting the renovation:

“Right behind us, we’re building a ballroom. They’ve wanted a ballroom for 150 years, and I’m giving that honor to this wonderful place.”

The clip immediately drew a sharp reaction from Whoopi Goldberg, who delivered one of the episode’s most quoted lines:

“That is not your building. You don’t own that building.”

Goldberg went further, describing the move as “nihilistic” and symbolic of the destruction of national values.

“A true nihilist believes in nothing — no loyalty, no purpose — just the impulse to destroy. And that’s what we’re seeing right now in this country,” she said.

Her comments set the tone for a fiery conversation that exposed deeper frustrations about the growing gap between political elites and ordinary Americans.

Co-host Ana Navarro didn’t mince words either. She slammed the $250 million ballroom as “a symbol of excess and opulence” that feels grotesquely out of place during a time of economic instability.

“I know this was privately funded,” Navarro said, “but I can’t help but imagine how far $250 million could go for families who can’t put food on the table.”

Navarro’s emotional remarks resonated with viewers who are feeling the squeeze of rising prices and stagnant wages. Her point underscored a broader question: Even if the project didn’t use taxpayer dollars, should such grand gestures be celebrated in an age of financial struggle?

Sunny Hostin added her own piercing critique, framing the project as a metaphor for the current state of American politics.

“He is tearing down the house. He is tearing down the people’s house,” Hostin said passionately. “He’s an annihilist.”

Hostin’s comment echoed a growing sentiment among critics who see the ballroom as more than a design decision — but a statement of detachment from ordinary citizens.

Conservative-leaning co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, while acknowledging the long-standing interest in expanding space for state events, voiced her own reservations.

“I understand the desire for a ballroom — historically, presidents have wanted one,” she said. “But without proper architectural oversight, this might look more like a Florida country club than the White House we know.”

Farah Griffin went on to compare the moment to Marie Antoinette’s infamous “let them eat cake” remark, saying,

“It feels like a Marie Antoinette moment — they’re building a ballroom while America struggles to pay the bills.”

Her point struck a chord with many viewers, who took to social media to echo her concerns about misplaced priorities.

The debate surrounding the ballroom project extends far beyond aesthetics. For many, it highlights a growing disconnection between the political elite and the working class. Inflation continues to pinch middle-income households, and with talk of a potential government shutdown, the optics of a multi-million-dollar construction at the nation’s most symbolic residence feel tone-deaf.

Even though reports confirm that the funding for the ballroom was raised privately, the symbolism remains potent. In the words of Ana Navarro, “Money may not come from taxpayers, but it comes from a culture that rewards excess while ignoring struggle.”

Following the episode, clips of the heated discussion spread rapidly online. Many viewers applauded The View for calling out what they see as “performative luxury.” Others accused the hosts of political bias, arguing that the ballroom could have practical uses for state functions, official gatherings, and tourism.

Still, the public’s emotional response revealed something deeper — a shared frustration with the widening gulf between image and reality in American leadership.

“Ballrooms don’t feed families,” one commenter wrote. “They just remind us who has the luxury to dance while the rest of us are working two jobs.”

For a building that has served as both a symbol of democracy and a home to presidents, every change to the White House carries weight. Whether it’s new paint, new policies, or — in this case — a new ballroom, the public’s reaction reflects the mood of the nation.

To some, the project is a historic addition, fulfilling a dream 150 years in the making. To others, it’s an extravagant distraction — a gilded room built in a time when many Americans can barely afford their own roofs.

As The View hosts made clear, the issue isn’t just about marble floors or chandeliers. It’s about perception, empathy, and what leadership looks like when the country is hurting.

And as Whoopi Goldberg said, reminding everyone of the heart of the matter:

“It’s up. But remember — you don’t own it. It’s not your building anymore.”