Lil Wayne praised President Trump’s plan to build a massive indoor ballroom at the White House during a Monday appearance on the “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast, calling it a necessary upgrade for hosting major events rather than forcing them onto the lawn.
The rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., said he was glad to hear Trump defend the project against critics. “I’m so glad to hear Trump say — when they was mad at him about building the ballroom — and he was like, everything we do we have to do it on the d*** lawn,” Carter said. “So people who don’t know nothing, [are] hearing that thinking he’s just being Trump — no, for real, I was glad to hear him saying that.”
Wayne’s support stemmed from his own experience performing at Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2023 celebration marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The event took place outdoors at Number One Observatory Circle, the vice president’s residence, and Carter said it resembled a “backyard barbecue.” He noted he was surprised when he arrived, having mistakenly thought he would be performing inside the White House itself.
Trump has pitched the ballroom as a long-overdue addition to the White House, arguing it would provide a permanent indoor venue for state dinners, diplomatic receptions, performances, and other major events while enhancing security. Following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner earlier this year, Trump said a large indoor space would be more secure than hosting such annual events offsite, writing on Truth Social that the ballroom “will be magnificent, safe, and secure.”
The project’s cost has drawn significant scrutiny. The initial estimate of $200 million has ballooned to $600 million according to June 2026 reports, though Trump has stated the expanded project will cost “something less than 400 Million Dollars.” Trump has defended the price increase, arguing the redesigned ballroom is “approximately twice the size, and a far higher quality, than the original proposal, which would not have been adequate to handle the necessary events, meetings, and even future Inaugurations.” Trump claimed the project is “coming in ahead of schedule, and under budget.”
A mix of private donors and taxpayer dollars will fund the ballroom’s construction, according to Trump’s statements. Lawmakers have watched the project’s costs climb with concern, though Trump has maintained the investment is necessary for the White House’s future.
Sources
- The Hill — Lil Wayne’s podcast comments praising Trump’s ballroom plan and his experience at Harris’s 2023 hip-hop event
- Fox News — Additional details on Lil Wayne’s podcast remarks and Trump’s ballroom project rationale
- USA Today / Washington Post — Cost estimates and ballroom project details
