Democratic New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Tuesday on CNN that President Donald Trump is “starving Americans” as the government shutdown continues.
Trump began tearing down the White House’s East Wing to construct a massive 90,000-square-foot presidential ballroom, drawing outrage from critics despite the project being financed entirely through private donations.
Appearing on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” Stansbury said the Trump administration was prioritizing luxury projects over urgent relief for struggling families.
“We are four days away from 42 million Americans losing food assistance, as literally the White House is building a $300 million ballroom. And they are choosing to cut off food assistance and SNAP to 42 million Americans,” Stansbury said.
“They are going to let seniors, children, veterans, and millions of Americans starve. And this is what we’re covering. So let me just say this. The bizarre obsession that House Republicans have with Biden is exactly that.”
The New Mexico congresswoman went on to say that Trump was “not trying to reopen the government” or “feed the American people,” despite bipartisan pressure for a deal.
(RELATED: Kellyanne Conway Says Left ‘Is Zealous Because They’re Jealous’ About Trump’s Ballroom)
“Donald Trump is president. He is literally overseas. He is not trying to reopen the government. He is not trying to feed the American people. He is not trying to deal with the health care crisis. And he literally was being led around a ballroom by the Japanese Prime Minister last night,” Stansbury told Jake Tapper.
“In the apparent confusion that he himself is unable to perform the duties as the duly elected president. So I have to say, I’m disturbed to hear that this is even a story as most of our country is literally in crisis right now.”
For more than 100 years, the White House has undergone repeated transformations. Former President Theodore Roosevelt constructed the West Wing in 1902 and redesigned the East Room and State Dining Room, while William Howard Taft later expanded the complex and created the Oval Office in 1909.
Former President Harry S. Truman rebuilt the mansion’s interior in the mid-20th century, and former President Richard Nixon later added the James S. Brady Briefing Room and a basement bowling alley.
Despite current outrage from the left, the new state ballroom is financed entirely through private donations rather than taxpayer funds.
Senate Democrats have repeatedly obstructed GOP-led efforts that would reopen the government and keep food aid flowing to millions of Americans.
Despite warnings from states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will run out by Nov. 1, Democratic leaders have refused to advance any funding package that doesn’t include their partisan demands on Obamacare subsidies and other priorities.
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https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/28/melanie-stansbury-claims-trump-starving-americans/
