White House seizes on delayed Obama presidential center opening to crown Trump ‘Builder-in-Chief’
The White House took aim at former President Barack Obama ahead of Friday's grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center, contrasting President Donald Trump's government construction projects to the 44th president's.
"President Trump continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify Washington, D.C., and our nation’s treasured monuments as we approach our historic 250th anniversary of independence. Thanks to the Builder-in-Chief, these projects are being completed on time and under budget — a stark contrast to the errantly run Obama administration, which overspent and underdelivered," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital when asked for comment about the museum.
The Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the public Friday following a decade of planning and construction, has faced scrutiny over rising costs, construction delays and public infrastructure spending. The White House seized on those criticisms as Trump promotes a series of renovation and construction projects.
"President Trump is ensuring our nation’s capital will be properly honored and maintained in excellent condition for generations to come," Ingle added.
BUREAUCRATS HIDE TRUE PRICE OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AS TAXPAYERS HIT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE BILL
An Obama Presidential Center Dedication held Thursday featured a slew of former diplomats, officials and celebrities such as former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Oprah, Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, and Steven Spielberg.
Taxpayers footed hundreds of millions of dollars in public infrastructure costs for Obama’s museum that constructed roads, transit, and utility updates around the campus.
Overall construction costs were reported to be $830 million in 2021 and have likely climbed past the $1 billion mark.
A recent Fox News Digital investigation identified multiple construction firms claiming losses ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions.
Meanwhile, Trump has been on a mission to fulfill last year’s executive order titled, "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful."
"I will take care of our cherished Capital, and we will make it, truly, GREAT AGAIN! Before the tents, squalor, filth, and crime, it was the most beautiful Capital in the world. It will soon be that again," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in August.
Obama, along with democratic officials, have taken swipes at Trump over his renovations to Washington, D.C., the White House and America 250 projects, criticizing them as frivolous.
PHOTOS: THE MAKING OF TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM, A LOOK AT THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
Trump "has been focused on critical issues like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don’t get mud on their shoes, and gold plating the Oval Office and building a $300 million ballroom," Obama said during a rally in October.
Trump directed the addition of stone pavers in October to the Rose Garden lawn, a change designed to better accommodate press conferences and ceremonial events. There has also been construction at the White House as workers build a ballroom expected to be done before 2028.
"It’s shameful that Trump is building his fancy ballroom while working families struggle to afford a basic meal during the holidays," wrote former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
TRUMP PULLS BACK CURTAIN ON WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM’S FORTRESS-LIKE DEFENSES ABOVE AND DEEP BELOW
Trump previously said the future White House ballroom will not just be an event venue, but serve as a hardened security structure designed to support presidential operations and large gatherings.
He has also planned installation of a Memorial Circle 250-foot arch for America’s 250th birthday that will be gilded.
"Your taxes might be going up. But don't worry — at least $15 million of it is going toward Trump's arch project," posted California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office on X.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.