On Monday, March 2, Donald Trump addressed the ongoing conflict with Iran while opening a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House.
But his remarks soon shifted away from the war as he began discussing the construction of a new ballroom and even joked about his wife, Melania Trump.
The Trump administration is currently dealing with the fallout from the recent attack on Iran, which has resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members. Trump made his first public appearance since the strikes began on Friday when he attended the ceremony honoring military heroes.
As he spoke about the service members present in the East Room, Trump suddenly changed the focus of his speech.
“We have many incredible service members here with us in this beautiful building,” Trump told the audience, according to the Daily Beast. “Isn’t this place beautiful? We’re expanding it a little.”
He then began talking about the new ballroom currently under construction just outside the window. Trump boasted about the project and joked that the noise from the work had been bothering the first lady.
“When you hear the hammering outside, you’ll understand why the first lady isn’t exactly thrilled,” Trump said. “She keeps asking, ‘Will the pile drivers ever stop?’ They start at six in the morning and go until 11:30 at night. Can you imagine that?”
According to Trump, the construction noise is actually something he enjoys.
“When I hear that sound behind me, that wonderful sound, it means money is being spent on something good,” he explained. “I like it, but my wife isn’t so happy. She told me, ‘This is getting a little crazy.’ I told her not to worry because everything will be finished in a few months.”
Trump also spoke at length about the drapes covering the future entrance to the ballroom.
“Look at that nice curtain,” he said. “Right now, behind it there’s just a big hole in the ground. But in about a year and a half, you’ll see a beautiful building there. That’s going to be the entrance.”
He joked that the drapes looked so nice he might not even need doors.
“I’ve built many ballrooms,” Trump added. “And I believe this one is going to be the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world.”
