Pete Buttigieg zoomed out on Saturday on the controversy surrounding Donald Trumps teardown of the East Wing of the White House, saying hes not as concerned about historic preservation as he is about Americans suffering the effects of historic price hikes for health insurance, all while Trump builds a ballroom to party with his billionaire fans.Whats most wrong about what President Trump is doing to the White House grounds is, it shows that his focus is on building a bigger venue for fancy dinners, when, because of his actual policies, Americans are opening those letters and finding out this week that theyre not going to be able to afford their healthcare next year. Related Can Democrats come up with a Project 2029 to rebuild democracy after Trump? Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today My focus right now isnt about historic preservation, he told CNN. Its about whats going on in peoples lives.The presidents timing couldnt be worse, Buttigieg said. Both the demolition and premium hikes come during an extended government shutdown that Trump and Republicans dont seem anxious to end. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers, including air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and military personnel, are working without pay, while thousands more have been furloughed or fired by the president.Democrats and the GOP are in a standoff over extending Biden-era subsidies to keep Obamacare premiums low.How in the world could you be focused on building a new ballroom a literallygilded ballroom for fancy parties for your rich friends at the exact moment when working Americans, actually disproportionately working Americans, who voted foryou, are getting screwed by your healthcare policy, and you dont seem to be interested in helping them, Buttigieg asserted. Politicians and preservationists alike have denounced Trumps unilateral destruction of the East Wing, and the grandiose and growing plans to replace it with a Roman-style temple rumored to be named after the president himself. Trump called that gossip fake news over the weekend.Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), another possible candidate along with Buttigieg to succeed Trump in 2028, trolled the president on Sunday over plans for the enormous edifice honoring his ego at 90,000 square feet, the neoclassical building is almost double the size of the White House footprint.Asked on NBC News Meet the Press whether his party should tear down the ballroom if they get the chance, the Democrat responded, No. I think to really mess with him, just name it the Barack Obama ballroom, Gallego said. Some past administration officials have said a larger venue for state dinners and similar functions isnt a bad idea on its face, but Trumps execution unilateral and in poor taste has undermined a worthy objective.News of plans for guest suites for Trumps billionaire friends in the new addition has only added to charges of influence-peddling associated with the $300 million building, said to be paid for by those same deep-pocketed Trump supporters and business associates.Buttigiegs take: Most of the people who are getting these letters about their healthcare premiums are never going to be invited to dinner at the White House. Hes not there for them.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.