A federal judge on Thursday limited the construction on President Trump’s privately-funded White House ballroom.

A federal appeals court on Saturday in a 2-1 ruling said President Trump can continue the construction on the White House ballroom… for now.

The appeals court judges sent the case back down to the US District Court judge who previously halted the construction on the ballroom.

The White House argued that the construction on the ballroom must continue for national security and safety reasons.

The construction can continue until at least April 17, the appeals court judges ruled.

Late last month, a federal judge ordered the privately funded Trump White House ballroom construction project to be halted.

US District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, temporarily halted construction on the ballroom.

The judge said Congress has to approve the construction project.

On Thursday, after the appeals court sent the case back down to the lower court, Judge Leon limited construction on the White House Ballroom.

The judge said the construction may only proceed on the underground bunker but not the 90,000 square-foot ballroom.

“For the reasons that follow, I will further clarify and amend my Order to stop only above-ground construction of the planned ballroom. My Amended Order does not, however, stop below-ground construction of national security facilities, work necessary to provide for presidential security, and construction necessary to protect and secure the White House and the construction site itself,” Judge Leon wrote in a 10-page opinion.

Judge Leon hit back at Trump and denied that he is playing the role of a ‘construction manager.’

“I will close by noting that I have no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager. Contrary to Defendants’ suggestion, I have never required Defendants to “request and receive written approval” before proceeding with construction,” the judge wrote.

Judge Leon paused his order for seven days to give President Trump time to respond.

Last summer, the Trump Administration announced a White House Ballroom construction project.

“For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people,” the Trump White House said.

“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance. The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” they said.

President Trump blasted Judge Leon last month.

“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG! Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House. In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

The post BREAKING: Federal Judge LIMITS Construction on President Trump’s Privately-Funded White House Ballroom appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

No one loves April 15th more than Democrats as they dream and plan how to spend your money.

On tax day, radical communist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted a menacing message to New Yorkers, reminding them that he is coming for them.

The video starts out with Mamdani telling viewers, “When I ran for mayor, I said I was gonna tax the rich.”

Then, with a grin and an attempt at a bit of Hollywood flair (which translated into creepiness), he leaned menacingly into the camera, tapped the lens and declared, “Well, today we’re taxing the rich.”

“I’m thrilled to announce we’ve secured a pied-à-terre tax, the first in New York’s history. This is an annual fee on luxury properties worth more than $5 million whose owners do not live full-time in the city. Like for this penthouse, which hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin bought for $238 million.”

“This pied-à-terre tax is specifically designed for the richest of the rich, those who store their wealth in New York City real estate but who don’t actually live here.”

“But even so, they’re able to reap the huge financial rewards of owning property in, dare I say, the greatest city in the world. And most of the time, these units are sitting empty since, again, they don’t actually live here. This is a fundamentally unfair system that hurts working New Yorkers.”

“Now, it’s coming to an end. This tax will raise at least $500 million directly for the city.”

“It’ll help fund things like free childcare, cleaner streets, and safer neighborhoods. As mayor, I believe everyone has a role to play in contributing to our city, and some a little bit more than others.”

“Happy Tax Day, New York.”

Watch:

Happy Tax Day, New York. We’re taxing the rich. pic.twitter.com/Wky2LFXC9W

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 15, 2026

Less than a month into his tenure, Mamdani made it clear that raising taxes on the ‘wealthy’ to make up the city’s budget deficit was a priority, telling the city’s wealthiest must pay more in taxes to help fill the staggering budget deficit of more than $12 billion that he was left by his predecessor.

On April 7, 2026, Mamdani released the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan, exposing the framework of his campaign promise of shifting tax burdens from outer-borough homeowners to “more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.”

The proposed estate tax threshold of $750,000, which would impose a 50 percent state estate tax on homes above that value, potentially raising the combined federal and state rate to 70 percent.

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman responded to Mamdani’s video, noting, “Non-residents who spend millions of dollars on NYC apartments help drive NYC’s economy. Most of the profit in condominium development is in the penthouses.”

“The Ken Griffins of the world make NYC high end development viable, driving high-paying construction, brokerage, legal, marketing, and other jobs in NYC. We should be applauding Ken for spending $238 million in NYC, not attacking him for doing so.”

“Importantly, non-resident owners of NYC apartments who leave their apartments vacant for much of the year are not a burden to NYC schools, services, or other resources while they drive growth in retail sales, restaurants, theater, and other important drivers of our economy. They also often support NYC non-profits with donations.”

“Ken’s company is a major employer in NYC of very high paying jobs which drive a considerable amount of our tax base. We wouldn’t want him to move even more employees to Miami.”

“These non-resident owners also already pay a lot of taxes including mansion taxes, real estate taxes, sales taxes and more.”

“While @NYCMayor Mamdani likes the tag line ‘Tax the rich.’ Unfortunately, his policies will harm the constituencies he is supposedly trying to help.”

“I can’t imagine the NYC construction unions are excited about his plan.”

Non-residents who spend millions of dollars on NYC apartments help drive NYC’s economy. Most of the profit in condominium development is in the penthouses. The Ken Griffins of the world make NYC high end development viable, driving high-paying construction, brokerage, legal,… https://t.co/7Iv6UhGzdf

— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) April 16, 2026

The post ‘Happy Tax Day’: NYC Communist Mayor Zohran Mamdani Posts Menacing Message to New Yorkers (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Europe could run out of jet fuel in a matter of weeks as the Iran war continues to disrupt global energy flows, according to the head of the International Energy Agency.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the region has “maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left,” warning that flight disruptions could begin soon if supplies through the Strait of Hormuz remain blocked.

“In the past, there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy,” Birol said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas shipments, has been seized by Iranian forces in an apparent bid to disrupt energy supplies worldwide.

Ongoing conflict has restricted access, leaving tankers unable to move supplies out of the Persian Gulf.

Birol described the situation as “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” with rising prices already impacting global markets.

“The impact will be higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices,” he said.

Europe has “maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left,” the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday, warning of possible flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. https://t.co/hWVVyLQDzp

— ABC News (@ABC) April 16, 2026

More than 110 oil tankers and at least 15 liquefied natural gas carriers are currently waiting in the Gulf, unable to pass through the strait.

Even if the conflict is resolved, Birol warned recovery will take time due to damage to energy infrastructure.

“Over 80 key assets in the region have been damaged. And out of these 80, more than one-third are severely or very severely damaged,” he said.

“It will take gradually, gradually, up to two years to come back where we were before the war.”

Birol also warned against allowing Iran to impose fees on ships passing through the strait, arguing it could set a dangerous precedent for global trade routes.

“If we change it once, it may be difficult to get it back,” he said.

The economic impact is expected to be widespread, with Europe currently handling more than 100,000 flights a day across the continent.

“No country, no country is immune to this crisis,” Birol said.

“In Europe, I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel.”

A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is currently in place, with a second round of negotiations expected to take place in Pakistan in the coming days, though no formal date has been confirmed.

The post Europe Has ‘Six Weeks’ of Jet Fuel Left Unless Strait of Hormuz is Opened — Millions of Flights Could Soon Be Grounded appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

President Trump on Thursday announced that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.

Trump’s full statement:

I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.

On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE.

It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP

President Trump on Thursday also said that he will be inviting Israel’s Netanyahu and Lebanon’s Joseph Aoun to the White House for a historic meeting.

Last Tuesday, President Trump announced a double-sided ceasefire and agreed to suspend his planned military strikes on Iran after speaking with the Pakistani Prime Minister.

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump said on Truth Social.

“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump said.

“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” the president said.

“On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP” Trump added.

Iran accepted the ceasefire but Israel continued to bomb Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Last week, Bibi Netanyahu said that Lebanon was not a part of the double-sided ceasefire.

On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire after meeting for the first time in 34 years.

The post JUST IN: President Trump Announces Israel and Lebanon Have Agreed to 10-Day Ceasefire appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.