ABC contributor compares White House East Wing renovation to 9/11 Pentagon wreckage

Setmayer, a former CNN commentator, ABC News contributor, and GOP communications director on Capitol Hill, posted an aerial image showing demolition work on the East Wing, which is being renovated under Trump’s direction. In her post, she wrote, “[It] feels almost the same as when I saw the Pentagon damage on 9/11.”

The comment drew widespread outrage on X, where her post has been viewed more than six million times. Federalist editor in chief Mollie Hemingway responded, “The left is unable to mentally distinguish between Islamic terrorism that kills thousands and … building improvements. Horrific break with reality we’re watching here.”

Another user wrote, “I hate what he's doing but it is not on the same level as 9/11...have to be wise with your messaging.” Setmayer replied, “This isn’t about messaging. This is how I feel and I won’t apologize for it.”

President Trump’s renovation effort includes the construction of a new ballroom in the East Wing for state events. The White House has emphasized the historical precedent for renovations and noted that the project is funded by private donors and the president’s own money.

Despite this, critics on the left have been extremely outspoken about the project. Chelsea Clinton recently published an opinion piece in USA Today accusing Trump of “wrecking the people’s house,” while the Washington Post’s Friday front page declared, “The East Wing is now only a memory.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project during a briefing on Thursday. “We’ve been keeping you apprised of this project. We’ve shown you the renderings. And if you look at the renderings, it’s very clear the East Wing was going to be modernized,” she said.

“The president wants to do right by the people’s house. And so, that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Leavitt continued. “It’s going to be … much more stable, strong, secure and more beautiful than ever once it’s complete.”

Not all reactions from the left were negative, however. Activist Shaun King, a frequent critic of Trump, posted on X, “I actually think it's a great idea to build a big ballroom on the White House grounds. It's virtually impossible to hold events of any size there and they are always wasting millions on tents and heaters and chairs and lights and everything else.”

“Stop acting like you have some emotional attachment to the East Wing,” King added. “You don't."