Whoopi Goldberg told viewers on “The View” that President Donald Trump’s plan for a new White House ballroom shows he intends to stay in the building forever.

The longtime co-host made the comment on Tuesday, April 28, during a segment reacting to the ongoing project to demolish part of the East Wing and add a large event space.

Goldberg said the White House belongs to the American people, not to any one president.

“It’s not your building! It’s not yours!” Goldberg said. “That’s the first thing. This belongs to the people of the United States of America. It is not your building! So building this ballroom basically means you’re never leaving!”

Co-host Joy Behar jumped in and asked if Trump was planning to live there permanently. Goldberg replied, “I guess so.”

Republicans call for taxpayers to pay for Trump’s White House ballroom

The exchange came as Republicans in Congress pushed legislation to spend up to $400 million on the ballroom and related security upgrades.

The project would create a roughly 90,000-square-foot addition designed to hold far more guests than the current East Room, which seats about 200 people for dinners and events.

Trump first announced the ballroom last summer, saying at the time that private donors would cover the full cost and taxpayers would pay nothing.

The price tag later grew to around $400 million. A nonprofit called the Trust for the National Mall has handled donations, including from tech companies and other large contributors.

Some Senate Republicans, including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have introduced bills to authorize federal money for the project.

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They argue it would improve security after a shooting incident at the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Graham has said any taxpayer portion could come from customs fees and other existing revenue, not new spending.

Other Republicans have pushed back, saying the project should stay privately funded as Trump originally promised.

The plan has also faced lawsuits from historic preservation groups concerned about changes to the White House grounds.

Work on the East Wing began in late 2025, but a federal judge temporarily halted above-ground work earlier this year amid questions about permitting. Some underground security-related work has continued.

Goldberg did not mention the private funding claims or the security arguments during her remarks. She focused instead on the idea that adding a big new ballroom amounted to Trump treating the White House as his personal property.

The co-hosts on “The View” have criticized the project for weeks, calling the demolition wasteful and the overall idea unnecessary.

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They have questioned why such a large space is needed on the White House grounds when large events already take place at hotels and other venues in Washington.

Supporters of the ballroom, including WHite House officials and President Trump himself, say the current White House lacks enough indoor space for modern state dinners and other official gatherings.

They point out that past presidents have made changes to the building, including major renovations during the Truman administration.

The back-and-forth over funding and purpose has turned the ballroom into another flashpoint in the sharp divide over Trump’s second term.

Democrats and some outside groups call it an extravagant project at a time when many Americans face higher costs for housing and daily needs.

Trump allies describe it as a much-needed upgrade to the people’s house that will also serve future presidents.

Goldberg’s wording elicits mixed reactions

Goldberg’s strong wording drew quick attention on social media, with some viewers praising her for speaking bluntly and others accusing her of overreacting to a routine infrastructure project on federal property.

Meanwhile, work on the project continues under court oversight as legal and funding debates play out in Congress and the courts.

No final completion date has been set, though the administration has said it wants the space finished before the end of Trump’s current term.