Sen. Chuck Schumer Told a Whopper So Big Even CNN Fact Checked Him On It [WATCH]

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and several Democratic lawmakers came under fire this week after circulating a misleading clip of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s remarks about a renovation project at the White House.

The edited video falsely suggested that President Donald Trump’s “main priority” was a ballroom construction project, despite clear context showing the statement referred only to ongoing renovation efforts, not national priorities.

The controversy began Thursday during a White House press briefing, when a reporter asked Leavitt, “In addition to the ballroom and the Rose Garden patio, is the president looking at any other renovations or significant kind of projects here at the White House?”

Leavitt responded, “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly. And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

You’re blatantly lying. Here’s the full quote for context.pic.twitter.com/LDHikg3RdT

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) October 24, 2025

Leavitt’s remarks clearly indicated that President Trump’s focus within the scope of White House renovations was on the new East Wing ballroom.

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However, a shortened version of her comments, posted by multiple Democrats including Schumer, omitted the first half of her response and made it appear as though she had said the ballroom itself was the president’s main overall priority.

“At this moment in time of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

It’s hard to wrap your mind around it because of how callous it is.

But that’s what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt actually said. Out loud. To press. Proudly.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 24, 2025

Schumer commented on the edited clip in a social media post, mocking the administration’s renovation project.

Honestly, you can’t make this shit up. https://t.co/GYjl09qeGT

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 23, 2025

The post quickly spread among left-leaning accounts and Democratic members of Congress.

President Trump, however, had already departed for his multi-nation Asia tour Thursday night, where he is scheduled to meet with regional leaders and discuss trade, defense, and economic cooperation.

The misleading post drew criticism from fact-checkers and even CNN, which clarified that the viral video circulating online had been selectively edited to remove key context.

When even DANIEL DALE is fact-checking you…. pic.twitter.com/IEkyAAP8y9

— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) October 24, 2025

CNN reported that the original exchange showed Leavitt was responding specifically to a question about White House renovation projects and not broader presidential priorities.

“Karoline Leavitt was clearly referring to the planned new ballroom as Trump’s main priority for White House renovations,” CNN’s fact-check segment stated.

“But on social media, various Democratic members of Congress have cut out the first part of the exchange to make it sound like she was saying the ballroom was Trump’s overall main priority.”

Chuck Schumer has LOST CNN’s Daniel Dale with his whopper of a lie about @PressSec.

“Top Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives have taken a Thursday quote from the White House press secretary out of context to deliver a misleading attack on President Donald… pic.twitter.com/zZvJGoZc3j

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 24, 2025

The clarification from CNN followed a series of posts from Leavitt and other administration officials pushing back on the narrative.

You’re a scumbag and a liar, Chuck — but everyone already knows that. She was answering a question specifically about construction projects on the White House grounds.

We’ll lay it so even your demented mind can comprehend:

QUESTION: “In addition to the ballroom and the Rose… https://t.co/un75flkoch

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 23, 2025

The White House noted that the new ballroom project is privately funded and intended to serve as a space for state functions, press events, and formal gatherings without additional taxpayer expense.

The ballroom addition, part of a series of updates to the East Wing, has been in planning stages since early 2025.

The project is aimed at expanding the capacity of the White House complex for large official events and was approved following consultations with the National Park Service and historical preservation agencies.

Despite the correction, several Democratic lawmakers left their posts online, and Schumer has not issued a statement acknowledging the misleading nature of the clip.

Administration officials say the incident is another example of partisan misinformation surrounding the White House’s activities.

The episode also unfolded as Congress continues to face gridlock over spending negotiations and the ongoing government shutdown.

Analysts note that the mischaracterization of Leavitt’s remarks likely distracted from Democrats’ broader efforts to shape public opinion during the budget standoff.

By Friday evening, even mainstream outlets acknowledged the clip had been edited in a way that distorted the press secretary’s comments.

The acknowledgment underscored a rare moment of agreement among fact-checkers, with CNN’s coverage confirming that the viral claims circulating on social media were inaccurate.

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