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Rapper Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., whose stage name is Lil Wayne, on Monday praised President Trump for constructing a White House ballroom that would provide an indoor space for performers, events and diplomatic ceremonies.
“I’m so glad to hear Trump say — when they was mad at him about building the ballroom — and he was like, everything we do we have to do it on the d*** lawn,” Carter said during a Monday appearance on the “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast.
“So people who don’t know nothing, [are] hearing that thinking he’s just being Trump — no, for real, I was glad to hear him saying that,” the rapper added.
During the segment, Carter reflected on his 2023 performance for former Vice President Kamala Harris at her 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop party, which was hosted outside at the vice-presidential residence, Number One Observatory Circle.
Carter mistakenly thought he appeared at the White House and said the event resembled a “backyard barbeque,” noting that he was shocked after not being invited inside.
In order to accommodate guests and heightened security protocols, many large-scale events at the White House are hosted outdoors on the South Lawn.
However, Trump said an indoor ballroom would be more appropriate for prominent gatherings.
Following the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting earlier this year, the president said a large space inside the White House would be more secure than hosting the annual event offsite, citing the presence of various Cabinet officials and high-profile attendees.
“It will be magnificent, safe, and secure!” Trump wrote in a May post on Truth Social.
“This was a necessary change, it was done long ago, but the Fake News failed to report it, trying to make it look like there was a cost overrun. Actually, it is coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget!” he added.
The construction has remained a point of concern for lawmakers who have watched the projected cost increase from $200 million to $600 million in recent months.
The president has defended the price tag in various remarks.
“The only reason the cost has changed is because, after deep rooted studies, it is approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal, which would not have been adequate to handle the necessary events, meetings, and even future Inaugurations,” the president wrote in the May Truth Social post.
Private donors and taxpayer dollars will be used to support the development of the White House Ballroom.
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