President says any Financial Settlement could support ‘the people’s house’
President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking a financial settlement of up to $230 million from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve his claims of FBI misconduct and political targeting, according to The New York Times.
Trump has suggested that part of the potential payout could be used to fund his ambitious White House ballroom project, currently under construction in the East Wing.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump told reporters, “They probably owe me a lot of money, but if I get money from our country, I’ll do something nice with it, like give it to charity or give it to the White House.”
YouTube Pays $24.5 Million Settlement to Trump
In a related legal victory, YouTube — owned by Alphabet — agreed on Monday to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Trump. The suit stemmed from YouTube’s decision to suspend his account in January 2021 following the U.S. Capitol riot. Trump alleged the platform unlawfully silenced conservative voices and violated his First Amendment rights.
Trump announced that $22 million of the YouTube settlement will go directly toward the White House ballroom’s $250 million construction costs. “We’re doing a great job on the White House. As you know, the ballroom is under construction,” Trump said, referencing the demolition work that began this week on the East Wing.
Trump’s Legal Battles with the DOJ
The former president’s complaints against the DOJ stem from two separate filings in 2023 and 2024, accusing the FBI of political bias during its investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Mar-a-Lago classified documents raid in 2022.
Trump’s team claims these actions were part of a pattern of “targeting” by what he called “Democrat-led witch hunts.” His spokesperson stated, “President Trump continues to fight back against all Democrat-led Witch Hunts, including the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax and the unconstitutional and un-American weaponization of our justice system by Crooked Joe Biden and his handlers.”
In response, DOJ spokesman Chad Gilmartin maintained that “all officials at the Department of Justice follow the guidance of career ethics officials.”
‘Not Looking for Money,’ Trump Says
Despite his claims for compensation, Trump insisted his motivation is not financial. “I’m not looking for money… It has got to be handled in a proper way,” he said. “We don’t want it to happen again.”
Trump added that he has previously won settlements in other defamation and misconduct cases, including $15 million from ABC over remarks made by George Stephanopoulos. “George Slopadopolous had to pay me a lot of money,” he joked. “But any money I would get I would give to charity.”
Trump’s $250 Million Whitehouse Ballroom Project Sparks Uproar and Political Backlash - USA Herald
White House Ballroom Construction Moves Forward
Demolition work began Monday on the East Wing to make space for Trump’s planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a privately funded project estimated at $250 million. As The Washington Post reported, Trump envisions the new venue as “the most beautiful ballroom in the country,” capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests.
Though critics have labeled the expansion a “vanity project,” Trump maintains it will enhance the historic building. “If I get a financial settlement, I’ll use it to make the White House even more beautiful,” he said.
Join the Discussion
Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with
other readers. Sign in or create a free account to
comment.