Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner Vows to “Blow Up” White House Ballroom Under Construction
Soros-backed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Tuesday vowed to “blow up” the White House ballroom currently under construction. The remarks came during the 24th annual slavery commemoration at the President’s House site on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
The gathering focused on an exhibit about enslaved people associated with the original presidential residence in the city. City officials and advocates have been involved in a legal dispute over interpretive panels at the site following federal changes under an executive order on historical exhibits.
In his speech, Krasner contrasted the Philadelphia memorial with projects in Washington. He said the President’s House site and its educational content would remain. He then turned to other federal properties.
“But let me tell you what will not be here,” Krasner said. “There will not be a ballroom. There will not be a ballroom. There will not be a Kennedy Center renamed for a fool. That will not be happening.”
He continued by stating that radicals like himself would work to dismantle every aspect of President Donald Trump’s legacy and seek retribution against his supporters. “What is going to be happening is in about 10 or 15 years. We are all going to be sitting here with smiles on our faces because we, thanks to Michael, and all of you will have won. They will have lost. And I’m going to have a paper weight sitting on my desk. You know what that paper weight’s going to be? It’s going to be a piece of the ballroom after we all blow it up. That’s what it’s going to be.”
Krasner later offered a clarification. “In an official official ceremony. Just so we’re clear, in an official ceremony, we’re going to blow it up and we’re going to get the taxpayers their money back by selling all the pieces as paper weights and I will have one on my desk.”
He told the audience, “You are the reason that we’re able to fight that fool in DC. And I am guaranteeing you that not only will I have a piece of that blown up ballroom as a paperweight, you’re going to have a chance to have one, too.”
The ballroom is being built on the site of the former White House East Wing, which was demolished in 2025. Construction began that year with a target completion around 2028. Cost estimates cited in coverage of Krasner’s remarks have been about $400 million, with the Trump administration stating that roughly $200 million in private donations has been spent or committed.
President Trump has said the addition is necessary to host foreign dignitaries and other White House events. He has pointed to security concerns associated with events that must currently be held on the White House lawn or at other locations, including incidents such as this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack and a planned terrorist attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event.
Krasner’s comments reflect the intensity of opposition to the Trump administration’s projects and priorities. The rhetoric stands in sharp contrast to the practical and security-driven rationale offered for the ballroom, which is intended to provide a secure indoor venue for official functions.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
