President Donald Trump called a White House reporter "stupid" during a press dinner on May 11, 2026, after she questioned construction costs [3].
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and the press regarding the transparency of government spending on executive residence renovations. As the East Wing ballroom project continues, critics have raised concerns about the lack of detailed budget disclosures.
The confrontation occurred at the construction site of the East Wing ballroom in Washington, D.C. [1, 2]. Akayla Gardner, a White House reporter, questioned the president about the ballooning costs associated with the new facility [1, 2].
Trump responded to the inquiry by telling Gardner, "No eres muy lista," which translates to "you are not very smart" or "stupid" [2]. The president said the new ballroom serves as a necessary security measure for hosting large state events [1, 2].
Reports of the incident surfaced on May 12, 2026, following the dinner [3]. The interaction was captured during the event, where the president had been showcasing the progress of the ballroom construction [1, 2].
Gardner's question focused on the alleged cost overruns of the project. Trump did not provide specific figures to address the claims of overspending, instead focusing on the utility of the space for diplomatic functions [1, 2].
This interaction is the latest in a series of public disputes between the president and members of the press corps regarding the administration's use of public funds for White House improvements [1, 3].
“«No eres muy lista»”
This incident underscores a recurring pattern of confrontational rhetoric between the executive branch and the media. By framing a question about fiscal accountability as a lack of intelligence, the administration deflects from the specific financial criticisms of the East Wing project, shifting the focus from budget overruns to the personal credibility of the journalist.
