Donald Trump publicly promoted rapper Lil Wayne’s apparent endorsement of his plan to build a ballroom at the White House after the artist expressed mild support on the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast. Lil Wayne, who performed on the vice presidential residence lawn during the 50th-anniversary hip-hop event in 2023, described the setup as feeling like a "backyard barbecue." The ballroom project—requiring demolition of parts of the East Wing and abandoning a private-funding pledge—has sparked heavy criticism, and Trump’s focus on the endorsement drew further attention.
Trump Highlights Lil Wayne's Endorsement of Controversial White House Ballroom Plan
Lil Wayne, right, apparently didn't think much of performing on the lawn for the vice president and seems to approve of Donald Trump's ballroom plans. AP/AP
Donald Trump drew attention—and ridicule on social media—after publicly promoting rapper Lil Wayne's apparent approval of his plan to build a new ballroom at the White House.
On the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Lil Wayne said he had no problem with the idea and recalled performing on the vice presidential residence lawn in September 2023, during the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Speaking about that performance, he quipped that playing on the lawn made him wonder, "What is this, a backyard barbecue?"
"I'm so glad to hear Trump say — when they was mad at him about building the ballroom — and he was like, because everything we do, we have to do it on the **** lawn," Lil Wayne said. "So people who don't know nothin' hearin' that, thinkin' he just bein' Trump — no, for real, I was glad to hear him saying that."
The ballroom project has been controversial. It has required demolition of parts of the East Wing and drawn criticism for abandoning an earlier pledge that the renovation would be paid for entirely with private funds. Critics have questioned both the cost and the decision-making behind the renovation.
Trump’s decision to spotlight Lil Wayne’s comments may reflect a desire to show public support for the plan. The rapper, whose 2020 federal weapons charge was later pardoned in 2021, is a high-profile figure whose remarks attracted attention from both supporters and detractors.
Many observers were surprised by how enthusiastically Trump promoted a brief endorsement, and the episode renewed discussion about the project’s funding, purpose, and public reception.
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