Former aides and officials have speculated as to why President Donald Trump is controversially destroying the White House’s East Wing and replacing it with a massive ballroom
A former aide to Donald Trump[1] has suggested the real reason why the controversial 47th president of the United States has decided to rip down the White House’s East Wing[2] and replace it with a $250m ballroom.
On Monday, crews began ripping apart sections of the structure as part of preparation to construct a new ballroom on the historic site, causing controversy both in the USA and around the world[3].
Following the commencement of the work, there has been speculation as to why it is happening now, and why it is happening so fast. Said work comes just days after Trump announced his intention to build an Arc de Triomphe style monument in Washington[4].
Nicknamed the ‘Arc De Trump[5]’ it has been designed to commemorate the USA’s 250th anniversary next year, but sceptics have questioned whether this, and the new ballroom, are part of something bigger, Trump’s legacy.
Speaking to the Telegraph[6], one former aide suggested that Trump’s mortality could be what’s driving him to destroy and build new monuments and sections in the America’s political centre.
They told the publication: “I think he wants to be remembered in a way that honours his legacy. He’s rebuilding this country, he’s rebuilding the government, but you have to deconstruct before you can construct. This is a classic Donald Trump.”
Also speaking to the publication were people working on the site, with one individual describing the rate at which the work was occurring as “nuts”.
Meanwhile a contractor, Joe, 34, was more optimistic: “Right now, it’s a big dirt pit with a couple of mountains of scrap, but hopefully it’s going to look nice when it’s done.”
Whilst some have been complimentary and hopeful about what the finished structure will look like, others have been more scathing with historians and political figures lambasting the new project.
Speaking to the Guardian[7], Elaine Kamarck, a former government official who worked in the White House between 1993 and 1997 said the building was “typical Trump”.
She explained: “It’s an abomination It’s typical Trump and it’s going to look awful. They’re knocking down the entire East Wing of the White House. It’s not the end of the world but it’s just one more reason that Americans are getting sick of King Trump.”
Historian Jonathan Alter added that it was indicative not just of Trump’s architectural style, but also his approach to governing in his second term: “It’s not the worst thing that he’s done but there’s a perfect alignment between the visual image and the major theme of the Trump second term.
“Early on with Elon Musk it was a chainsaw. Now it’s a wrecking ball and that’s been their attitude. They’ve taken a wrecking ball to the rule of law.”
References
- ^ Donald Trump (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ White House’s East Wing (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ world (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Washington (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Arc De Trump (www.themirror.com)
- ^ Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Guardian (www.theguardian.com)