In recent times, Democrats have become somewhat predictable in their opposition to any initiative from Donald Trump. The latest example is the president’s announcement of a $300 million White House ballroom project, which has drawn criticism from figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite the fact that this upgrade, which promises to benefit the nation for decades, won’t cost taxpayers a cent, Newsom has labeled it a “vulgar display,” emblematic of what he describes as a “wrecking ball presidency.”
However, Newsom might want to heed the age-old proverb, “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” In Sacramento, right under his nose, a massive Capitol renovation is underway. When inquiries are made, answers are elusive, and many participants are bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that keep them silent.
This approach seems to epitomize the way business is conducted under Gavin Newsom’s leadership in California.
Ashley Zavala, the Political Director at KCRA 3, has been diligently reporting on the situation in Sacramento. Her findings reveal a concerning level of secrecy and double standards from the well-groomed governor. Unlike Trump, who has been transparent about his ballroom project, Newsom becomes evasive and irritable when questioned about the details of the renovation.
Three years of ambiguity? And yet, this is the same governor casting allegations of corruption at Trump?
Observe the condescending manner in which Newsom addresses Zavala’s attempts to seek clarity. He feigns ignorance, shifts blame onto others, and occasionally resorts to a whisper reminiscent of Joe Biden. His peculiar hand gestures could make even Tim “Jazz Hands” Walz envious.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised to push state lawmakers leading the California Capitol Annex project to be more transparent about how they’re using taxpayer dollars.
Documents show Newsom’s office plays a larger role in the project than the governor suggested earlier this week.
It has been at least three years since project leaders in the California Legislature provided an update on the estimated cost of the taxpayer funded office building that will be used by the governor and state lawmakers. At last check, it was expected to cost more than $1.1 billion.
Three years?! And this is the guy telling you Trump is corrupt?
Watch the supercilious disdain with which he treats Zavala when she attempts to get answers. He plays dumb, blames everything on other people, and at one point goes into a creepy Joe Biden whisper. And just what the heck is he doing with his gestures?! Tim “Jazz Hands” Walz will be sent into a jealous rage:
Newsom is keeping very close tabs on the White House ballroom. Yet he claims ignorance as to the State Capitol a block from his office, where an extravagant “renovation” is costing taxpayers at least $1.2 billion – and legislators refuse to say how much the cost has grown. https://t.co/V1BgXkywhU
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) October 30, 2025
As he goes ballistic about the future White House ballroom and its opulence, take a look at what’s in the works for the Golden State Capitol complex:
Project leaders, also known as the Joint Rules Committee, have not been forthcoming with information about how they’re spending the funds; only confirming information that is leaked to KCRA 3, including millions spent on Italian stonework, and the decision to add a hallway system that only lawmakers can use to avoid the public and media. The Legislature also continues to withhold documents that KCRA 3 has requested, which could shed light on how much the project is costing.
It is true that Newsom is not directly in charge of the project—but the facts show that he’s not just the bystander that he pretends to be. In fact, his inner circle is deeply involved; they just seem to have taken an omertà (code of silence).
Documents provided to KCRA 3 show Newsom’s director of operations has been part of a three-member executive committee that is expected to meet regularly and vote on final decisions about the project behind closed doors. The committee includes Newsom’s current Director of Operations Miroslava de la O, Democratic Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco and Democratic State Sen. John Laird.
Wait, so your director of operations is part of the executive committee for the project, yet you know next to nothing, Newsom? How convenient.
New: On CA Capitol Annex, Gov. Newsom said “as a taxpayer” he’d “like to know” about costs being kept from the public.
Turns out, his office’s Director of Operations has been on a panel that meets regularly and makes final decisions on the project in private. pic.twitter.com/4S8uZ5na7r
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) October 30, 2025
Much of the framework for the byzantine oversight of the work was authorized prior to Newsom’s term—but he’s been in office since early 2019, and he and the Dems have total one-party Democrat rule over the state. If you actually gave a rip about where the up to one billion taxpayer dollars are going, Mr. Newsom, I’m sure you could find out in the time it would take to read this article.
READ MORE: Sean Duffy Brings Down the Hammer on California’s Utterly Failed Transportation Boondoggle
Gavin Newsom Makes a Craven Pivot on Charlie Kirk, and He’s Hoping You Didn’t Notice
Here’s a damning statement from a member of the Public Accountability For Our Capitol Political Action Committee, Luree Stetson:
When asked if she’s convinced the governor does not know how much the building costs Stetson said, “I don’t know if the governor would or not. His staff might. Whether his staff informed him of that, we’ve tried to get in touch with the governor over the last five years also and never heard back from him.”
Don’t worry, give it another five, maybe he’ll call. Oh, and guess what else? Mr. “I Know Nothing” seems to know some things after all:
Newsom has approved legislation appropriating funds for the project. He also signed a bill in 2024 that exempted the new building from California’s Environmental Quality Act to cease the litigation that had been stalling it.
Notice how when progressives are in charge, the environment is everything when considering your car, your stove, your washing machine—just not their pet billion-dollar projects.
Zavala is doing—and is continuing to do—yeoman’s work here, because she is one of the few Sacramento journalists willing to ask Newsom actual questions and try to pin him down on his slippery, gesticulating non-answers. For the governor to be railing against a free ballroom while this mystery-shrouded, taxpayer-funded temple to progressivism is being built right outside his office is the epitome of gall, but we’ve sadly gotten used to that around here.
If the building—if and when it is ever completed—were a metaphor for the governor and his policies, I would expect it to be shiny from far away, exceedingly bland when viewed up close, and built to the shoddiest standards they could get away with.
My guess is that if you threw a stone at it… It would shatter.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
