In the aftermath of Saturday’s tragic shooting of a Minneapolis resident by border agents, President Donald Trump’s focus seems to be elsewhere.

On Sunday, shortly before noon, Trump took to social media to passionately defend his ballroom construction project. Meanwhile, several of his key aides appeared on various Sunday talk shows, offering differing opinions on whether Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who was recording Border Patrol agents while legally carrying a concealed weapon, was in the wrong.

Plans for the new ballroom wing at the White House, which will replace the former East Wing, are set to be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts next February.

In a 450-word post, Trump criticized the ‘Radical Left National (No!) Trust for Historic Preservation,’ accusing them of being comprised of ‘so-called “preservationists”’ funded by dubious sources, and claimed they have little regard for America.

Trump also highlighted his own contribution to the project, which is estimated to cost between $300 and $400 million. He emphasized that no taxpayer money is involved, as it is being funded by donations from prominent American business leaders.

Later in the day, Trump shifted his attention to Minnesota, commenting on his Truth Social platform that the state is part of a ‘Criminal Cover Up of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!’

Over the last few days, Trump has repeatedly tied his posts about Minnesota to fraud and has called out the state’s Democratic leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. 

Only one of his posts directly referenced the shooting of Pretti, and that post was a photo of the firearm the victim allegedly had on him when he clashed with border patrol officers.

Trump devoted 450 words Sunday to railing about efforts to stop his ballroom project

The construction of U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom is seen on January 12, 2026 in an aerial view

Pretti was armed with P320 AXG Combat, photographs revealed. The high-end custom variant of the weapon allegedly holds three 21-round magazines and retails for upwards of $1,300. 

Trump also praised an appearance by Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee about the incident, and went as far as to say that federal agents should leave Minneapolis altogether because of the heated, fatal situations officers have encountered in the city.

The president called the interview ‘GREAT’, adding that Comer ‘said it all concerning Minnesota, Deranged Jack Smith, and many other topics of interest.’

‘Jamie is doing a fantastic job!’ Trump concluded. 

Comer told Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo: ‘If I were Trump, I would almost think…there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide.’

Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC this week that he’s never gone to a protest with a gun, instead opting for a billboard.

Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino, however, said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union that he himself had attended a protest armed and that he supports individuals’ ability to do the same.

‘I’ve done that myself and fully support that, but not when you perpetrate violence, obstruct, delay, or obfuscate border patrol in the performance of their duties,’ Bovino noted.