In a scathing segment for The Persist Network, attorney and commentator Monique Pressley delivered a fiery critique of the White House’s latest priorities, juxtaposing the unveiling of a proposed $200 million ballroom project with the release of a dismal July jobs report.
Her viral takedown, aired in a feature titled “Wait a Damn Minute,” accuses the current administration of celebrating extravagance while millions of Americans grapple with job insecurity and rising costs.
“Jobs are down. People are hurting. But ballrooms are going up,” Pressley declared. “The only dancing we’re doing is with debt and job loss.”
Ballooning Budget, Shrinking Workforce
The controversy began when White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt announced plans for a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom, described by critics as a luxury space for political donors and events, not the American people. Within 24 hours of that announcement, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing that the U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs in July, falling far below expectations.
The report also delivered a brutal revision of earlier months:
- May jobs were downgraded from 144,000 to 19,000
- June jobs were revised down from 147,000 to just 14,000
This marks the worst three-month stretch for job growth since the height of the pandemic in 2020. Particularly hard hit are manufacturing, which lost 12,000 jobs in July, and federal employment, also down by 12,000.
Even more alarming: over 300,000 Black women have exited the workforce in recent months, a figure Pressley called “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
“This administration cut healthcare for 13 million Americans, implemented reckless tariffs that spiked inflation, and is now rewarding itself with a ballroom,” she said.
Political Blowback and Bureau Shake-Up
Adding fuel to the fire, Pressley called attention to the abrupt firing of Erica McIntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which she characterized as retaliation for bad numbers—despite the agency’s role as a neutral statistical body that reports data but does not shape it.
“Trump’s answer to job losses? Add one more. He fires the person who just reported the truth,” Pressley said.
This move has sparked concern among economists and labor advocates, who worry about political interference in nonpartisan economic reporting.
A Message to Americans: Share the Truth
Pressley’s message was far more than just commentary—it was a call to action:
“What can the rest of us do? Watch this video and others like it. Share them. Spread the facts further than their lies.”
Frustrated by what she sees as misplaced priorities and an out-of-touch leadership class, Pressley concluded by reminding viewers that the struggle is not partisan, but deeply personal for millions of families dealing with rising rent, food, and childcare costs.
“It’s not about red or blue,” she said. “It’s about basic priorities. Americans are struggling. And instead of help, they get a ballroom.”
Context and Broader Concerns
The economic picture for 2025 has grown increasingly complex. While some sectors continue to post gains, inflationary pressures and global trade instability, partly driven by new tariff policies, have stunted recovery. Labor unions have warned of an impending recession, and racial disparities in employment persist, with Black women and Latinas disproportionately impacted by layoffs and rising living costs.
The ballroom announcement, critics argue, is symbolic of a disconnect between governing elites and everyday Americans, a theme likely to echo as the 2026 midterms approach.
