President Donald Trump admitted Thursday that he was uncertain if his grip on the Senate Republican majority was slipping.
Trump was asked during an Oval Office event about the controversy on Capitol Hill over funding White House security upgrades tied to the new East Wing ballroom.
“I don’t know, I really don’t,” the president responded when asked if he is “losing control” of the Senate GOP. “I can tell you, I only do what’s right.”
Trump defended the ballroom project, noting there was confusion about its construction, which he noted is privately funded, and broader upgrades to the White House security complex.
“The ballroom is paid for, it’s a gift, I mean, I want to make it clear, because so many people say, ‘I thought you were giving this away,’ and all of a sudden the money that they’re spending is for security,” Trump said. “This is not for the ballroom.”
Trump noted the security upgrades would include a drone port on the new East Wing roof and bulletproof glass.
“If they want to spend money on securing the White House, I think it would be very much a good expenditure, but the ballroom is being built,” Trump said.
TRUMP’S REVENGE TOUR COULD DIMINISH CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR HIS AGENDA
In recent weeks, Trump has voiced displeasure with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for failing to pass the SAVE America Act and maintaining the Senate filibuster. Furthermore, Trump called for the replacement of Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Wednesday after she blocked Republicans from including White House security in an upcoming party-line immigration funding bill.
Trump’s comments can be seen in full below.