Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) criticized President Donald Trump for focusing on his White House ballroom while millions of Americans are on the brink of losing food assistance.

Giving the project a scathing nickname on Monday, the governor wrote on social media: “As Donald Trump builds his imitation of Versailles on the White House grounds, his government shutdown is depriving millions of Californians of federal food assistance.”

“Trump and his lapdog Congress just don’t care, period,” he added.

Newsom, of course, was referring to the luxurious 2,000-acre estate where French kings lived during the 17th and 18th centuries. It became an emblem of royal excess before the monarchy was deposed following the 1789 revolution.

Mockups of Trump’s new ballroom feature rich gilding and details that appear strikingly similar to those of the French palace. It is expected to span more than 90,000 square feet and cost approximately $300 million.

President Donald Trump shows photos of the new White House ballroom during a meeting in the Oval Office on October 22.
President Donald Trump shows photos of the new White House ballroom during a meeting in the Oval Office on October 22.

The Washington Post via Getty Images

Construction on the project is ramping up at the same time billions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds are at risk of drying up if the government shutdown continues into November.

California is one of 23 Democratic-led states that sued the Trump administration for refusing to release emergency funds, which have already been approved and appropriated by Congress, for food benefits.

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In a press release about the lawsuit, Newsom wrote: “As Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage he has caused with his incompetence, he is denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month. He is cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesn’t care about the people of this country, only himself.”