Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump

While answering questions from the press today, President Donald Trump drew criticism and concern for his surprising response when he was asked how "he's holding up" in the wake of the assassination of his friend and conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The President was speaking to journalists on Friday when one of them asked the president "My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk. How are you holding up?"

He answered, "I think very good. And by the way, you see all the trucks? They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House. Which is something they've been trying to get at for about 150 years and it's gonna be a beauty."

Trump's seemingly callous response to the question regarding the murder of his friend drew swift criticism from social media users, with one stating, "he doesn't give a shit about charlie's death. America, this is the man who rules you. wake up."

Another user added, "And just like that, Charlie Kirk's murder is no longer useful to him - time to change the subject. What a heartless goon."

Others have defended Trump's response, believing that he has publicly grieved enough, stating, "He just spent the past 2 days straight grieving. Should he grieve forever? Ass clown."

The ballroom project that the president mentions in the video has been promoted by the Trump administration as a major expansion of the executive mansion. According to the White House, the venue will cover nearly 90,000 square feet and is projected to cost around $200 million.

Plans call for the space to accommodate up to 650 seated guests, more than triple the capacity of the East Room, which has long been the largest indoor event space in the residence. Officials say the new structure will be built where the current East Wing sits, and while it will be separate from the main house, it will follow the existing architectural style to maintain continuity with the historic building.

Trump has stated that the project will be completed "long before" the end of his term in January 2029, though no exact completion date has been provided. He has also emphasized that the cost will be covered by himself and private donors, insisting that taxpayer money will not fund the project.

Yet the project has also sparked criticism. Reports indicate that White House tours have been canceled indefinitely due to the construction, disrupting one of the most visible traditions for the American public. Preservationists and architects have also raised concerns about the process, noting that some early site work began without review from the National Capital Planning Commission. Critics warn that bypassing such oversight could pose risks for compliance with historic preservation standards and architectural integrity.

Originally published on Latin Times