Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the Trump White House a "crazy cult" on Wednesday. She said the administration picks staff based on how they look, not on their ability to do the job. This comes just after Katie Zacharia made her debut as the new White House press secretary.
Clinton spoke on her new podcast, High Stakes with HRC, which she launched with podcaster Kara Swisher. She told listeners that the president has a specific image in mind when hiring. "I think they have a certain look in mind, a certain type, and that’s how they choose," Clinton said.
She argued that skills do not matter to the team as much as appearance does. "It doesn’t really matter to them the job, or whether they can answer questions, as long as they have a certain look," she added. Clinton claimed that Zacharia would be fired in any other government. She pointed to old social media posts where Zacharia made serious accusations against John Podesta.
Podesta was a main target of the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory. Clinton said "that kind of set of views" should end a career. She believes the president picks people like Zacharia because he "likes the way they look." Clinton said this obsession leads to plastic surgery and ill-fitting shoes for both men and women.
She noted that the president gifts Cabinet members $145 Florsheim shoes. The Wall Street Journal found that Marco Rubio wore shoes too big for him. Clinton called the situation "a crazy cult" and said she has never seen an administration run this way.
While Clinton spoke, President Donald Trump showed off new work at the White House. Facing south, he shared images showing the completely renovated White House facade, the new South Entrance, and the Heliport. on Truth Social on Thursday. He said the old walls had "suffered tremendous wear, tear, and damage."
The Washington Examiner reported that the project brings "additional life" to the grounds. Trump announced the helipad in September, though plans started in May. Broader work on the South Lawn began in June. He said the exterior is now restored to the "Highest Level."
The president also highlighted a new ballroom and military complex. He said this space will be bulletproof and is needed after a recent attack. On April 25, a gunman named Cole Allen fired shots at a dinner in Washington. Allen was charged with trying to assassinate the president.
The ballroom was first priced at $200 million. The cost has now doubled to $400 million. The Supreme Court ruled in August that construction could continue. Trump said the project is "on time, and on budget."
Clinton's comments come as the midterm elections approach. Her podcast focuses on issues for voters. She is using the platform to criticize the current leadership style. Trump, meanwhile, is celebrating the physical changes to the White House. He claims the new facilities make the president safer.
The contrast is sharp. One side calls the team a cult of looks. The other side points to a new ballroom and a secure heliport. Clinton says the president's obsession with appearance is unique in history. Trump says he is proud to be the leader who fixed the damage.
Both sides are making their case to the public. The debate over how the White House runs continues. Clinton's claim that the administration is a "crazy cult" stands as her latest attack on Trump's team. The ballroom construction moves forward while critics watch from the outside.