Seth Meyers explored the gap between voter worries regarding escalating costs in the 2024 election and Donald Trump’s $250 million new ballroom a year later during his segment “A Closer Look.” Meyers began by highlighting how inflation was a significant issue for voters last year. He then compared this to the effects of Trump’s tariffs on food prices and the president’s pricey and contentious 90,000 square foot ballroom. Demolition of sections of the White House’s East Wing, constructed in 1902, started on Monday. By Thursday, the demolition was complete, despite Trump’s assurance in July that his new ballroom “won’t interfere with the current building…It’ll be near it but not touching it.”

“So he essentially promised to handle it like his marriage,” Meyers joked, accompanied by a comedic sound effect.

Meyers also remarked on Trump’s declaration to reporters that the choice to tear down the East Wing was made “after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world.”

“Oh yeah, who was the architect you consulted, Godzilla?” Meyers humorously quipped.

“This couldn’t be more of a bait and switch,” Meyers wrapped up. “Trump was elected by asserting he would make life more affordable for hard-working Americans, and now he’s demolishing the White House to construct a lavish vanity project for himself. If you voted for Trump believing he’d reduce your grocery bills, tough luck.”