Bill Clinton Mocks Trump's White House Renovations

Former President Bill Clinton recently drew laughter from a crowd in Hollywood, Florida, with a sharp critique of former President Donald Trump's White House renovations. Speaking at a campaign event for Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, Clinton specifically targeted the redesign of the Rose Garden.

"I think Congress made a mistake not protesting turning the Rose Garden into what looks like the entrance to Liberace’s bathroom," Clinton quipped. The remark came as he rallied support for Jolly against Republican candidate Byron Donalds in the race for Florida governor, a contest currently showing a tight race, according to polls.

Clinton elaborated on his criticism, acknowledging that he was not opposed to the idea of a larger dining space, referencing Trump's demolition of the East Wing to create a ballroom. However, he questioned the expense and justification for the changes.

"But, to spend $900 million [on it] and to try to justify building a model of the Arc de Triomphe, that’s better than the original, and saying I had to do this because I want to store drones in there?" Clinton asked. "He [Donalds] went along with all that. I think we ought to give David Jolly a chance."

Clinton's comments echo sentiments expressed by other political figures and commentators regarding Trump's White House modifications. Former President Barack Obama, speaking at a rally in Ohio, similarly described the White House under Trump as having "gold everywhere, he’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory." Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb also offered a strong opinion, characterizing the renovations this summer as "some combination of a whorehouse and Las Vegas."