Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner stated on Tuesday that he intends to blow up the White House ballroom constructed under President Donald Trump’s administration during an official ceremony, with plans to sell pieces of the rubble as paperweights to return funds to taxpayers.
Krasner made the remarks while speaking at the 24th annual slavery commemoration at President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia. He also referred to Trump as ‘a pain in the ass’ and described him as ‘the embodiment of hate, ignorance, and depriving people of their vote and education.’
During his speech, Krasner said: ‘There will not be a ballroom. There will not be a ballroom. There will not be a Kennedy Center renamed for a fool. That will not be happening. What is going to be happening is that in about 10 to 15 years, we are all going to be sitting here with smiles on our faces, because we will have won. They will have lost.’
He added: ‘I’m going to have a paperweight sitting on my desk. And do you know what that paperweight’s going to be? It’s going to be a piece of the ballroom after we all blow it up.’
Background: The White House Ballroom and Slavery Exhibit Dispute
The White House ballroom was ordered by Trump under a March 2025 executive order titled ‘Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.’ The order led to the replacement of panels at the President’s House site in Philadelphia, which had previously detailed George Washington’s ownership of enslaved individuals in the 1790s. The new panels broadened the exhibit to include broader U.S. history.
Critics, including historians and local officials, accused the Trump administration of attempting to downplay slavery’s role in U.S. history by altering the exhibit. Supporters of the change argued it provided a more comprehensive view of American history rather than focusing solely on slavery.
A federal appeals court recently ruled in favor of the federal government, stating that Philadelphia had no legal right to dictate the content of the exhibit. The decision followed a prolonged legal dispute between the city and the Trump administration.
Reactions and Responses
Krasner’s comments drew mixed reactions from attendees. Some audience members applauded his remarks, with one shouting that they ‘wanted a piece’ of the ballroom after it was destroyed. Others, including Philadelphia resident and political strategist Lindy Li, criticized Krasner’s statements.
Li stated: ‘Krasner is one of the single biggest disgraces from my beloved city. On behalf of my fellow America-loving Philadelphians, I’d like to apologize to the rest of our country for our shameful DA.’
Krasner has previously criticized Trump, calling him a fascist and vowing to hunt down Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. His latest remarks occurred during a slavery commemoration event, though the ballroom is not directly related to the exhibit.
Legal and Political Context
The federal appeals court’s decision in favor of the Trump administration’s exhibit changes underscores the ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over historical narratives. The ruling has been cited by some as a precedent for federal control over federally managed historic sites.
Krasner’s proposal to destroy federal property in an official ceremony raises questions about legal feasibility and potential consequences, though no immediate action has been announced. The National Park Service, which manages the site, has not publicly responded to Krasner’s remarks.
Future Implications
If implemented, Krasner’s plan would involve demolition of federal property, the sale of rubble as memorabilia, and the return of proceeds to taxpayers. The timeline he suggested—10 to 15 years—implies a long-term political and cultural struggle rather than an immediate action.
The dispute over historical representation at federally managed sites remains a contentious issue, with debates over how slavery and other controversial aspects of U.S. history should be presented to the public.