‘I’m Delighted!’ Geraldo Rivera Rejoices Over Supreme Court Ruling Trump Can Build Ballroom

Geraldo Rivera celebrated Monday after the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump to continue construction of his White House ballroom, declaring himself “delighted” by the ruling.

The court granted the Trump administration’s request to allow construction to continue, despite a sharply worded dissent from Chief Justice John Roberts, in which he argued that the project was “likely unlawful.”

Rivera’s comments came in conversation with NewsNation’s Connell McShane.

“I’m delighted!” the veteran journalist shared on Monday. “I’m delighted the president gets his ballroom. I don’t think it’s the monstrosity the opponents have claimed it to be. I’m anxious to see if, indeed, the above-ground construction is paid for by donations, as the president has pledged.”

A Public Citizen report from earlier this summer found, though, that 14 of the 27 publicly identified corporate donors have received more than $50 billion in new or expanded federal contracts since contributing to the project. The White House has rejected suggestions of any link between the donations and government business.

McShane went on to note that the matter “could ultimately return to the Supreme Court” and that taxpayer money will be used for the below-ground portion of the project. According to The Washington Post, a contractor’s estimate prepared for the White House put the project’s total cost at $600 million, with more than half expected to come from taxpayers.

“I know you’re kind of afraid to be critical of the president if you think he’s doing the wrong thing,” McShane added. “It sounds like this is one of those situations where you think the criticism is a little over the top.”

Rivera responded:

I totally do. C’mon, get over it, ladies and gentlemen! He’s a builder. He’s into gold. It’s not that freaky when you see it next to the White House as artists envisioned. I think it’s kinda nice. Trees will cover it. They’ll restore all of the grass and the Rose Garden and all the rest of that.

I just think that when you make a war over something like this, it shows where your head is at: that what you want is to oppose Trump by any means necessary, and I think all that does is empower him. It pisses him off.

He then asked viewers to focus on “things that really matter,” citing Trump’s dismal approval ratings.

Watch above via NewsNation.

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