THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump Press Sec’s Flattery of Him Goes Awry as Ballroom Fiasco Worsens
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Oct 23, 2025 
Matt Ford, a staff writer at the New Republic, dives into Trump’s alarming corruption, including plans to demolish a White House building for a personal ballroom. He critiques White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s overly zealous defense of Trump, revealing a troubling devotion to his image. Ford discusses Trump’s demand for $230 million from the DOJ, calling it a legal farce and an affront to public trust. He argues that these actions reflect Trump’s disdain for the rule of law and the erosion of Justice Department independence.
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East Wing Demolition Shows Executive Lawlessness
- Trump ordered demolition of the East Wing and it was nearly gone within days without following normal approval channels.
- Matt Ford says this act exemplifies how the presidency is subordinated to one man's whims rather than processes.
Press Secretary Praises Demolition As Building
- Karoline Leavitt framed Trump as "the builder in chief" while defending the demolition instead of addressing corruption concerns.
- Greg Sargent and Matt Ford highlight her remarks as cultish praise that undermines accountability.
$230M Demand Reveals Treasury Looting Risk
- Trump pushed DOJ to pay him $230 million for alleged damages tied to investigations, with Deputy AG Todd Blanche deciding.
- Matt Ford calls this near-looting of the Treasury and highlights ethical conflicts given Blanche's prior role as Trump's lawyer.