A Reflection of Donald Trump's Palace or Ode to Trump's Versailles
The proposal for a grand ballroom at the White House, reminiscent of Donald Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago, has been a topic of interest since 2010. This idea was first brought up by Trump himself during Barack Obama's first term and revisited in 2016, when he offered $100 million to fund the project. However, the White House declined the offer.
The design of the proposed "White House State Ballroom" features arched windows, gilded chandeliers and candelabras, fluted columns, and ceilings adorned with symmetrical moldings, mirroring the opulence of Mar-a-Lago. The ballroom, with a capacity of about 650 people, spans 8,400 square feet, making it nearly double the size of the current presidential residence.
The offer was extended to David Axelrod, an advisor to President Obama. Despite the White House Historical Association's president, Stewart McLaurin, expressing concerns about iconic elements such as the South Portico, North Portico, East Wing, West Wing, and Truman Balcony at the time, the proposed ballroom has been deemed an integral part of the White House by current White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, who stated that the expected completion date is well before 2029.
It is important to note that Trump's ballroom offer did not directly influence his decision to run for president in 2016. This proposal was separate from his presidential campaign and was rejected by the Obama administration.
Internet users have been creating memes comparing Trump to Louis XIV or presenting him in the guise of Marie-Antoinette, given the grandeur of the proposed ballroom. The author of a forthcoming book titled Versailles Mirrored: Power of Luxury, Louis XIV to Donald Trump, Robert Wellington, will explain that the symbols of power, magnificence, and success that Trump likes to surround himself with are nothing but mystification, similar to Versailles.
Some purists argue that the "White House State Ballroom" will be a significant addition to the White House, potentially difficult to remove or retract by one of Trump's successors. This has sparked debates about the balance between preserving historical integrity and modernising the White House.
In April 2011, Barack Obama made fun of Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, a moment Trump expressed regret over, stating that it hurt more than the rejection of his ballroom offer. The construction of the "White House State Ballroom" was officially announced in July 2021.
[1] "Trump's White House Ballroom Offer and His Presidential Run: No Clear Connection" - [Source] [2] "The Evolution of Donald Trump's White House Ballroom Proposal" - [Source]
- The proposed "White House State Ballroom," evoking the opulence of Mar-a-Lago, has sparked discussions on the intersection of politics and general-news, as it raises questions about the balance between preserving historical integrity and modernizing the White House.
- The grandeur of Trump's proposed ballroom, with its gilded chandeliers and fluted columns, has fueled political debates and general-news commentary, with some comparing him to figures like Louis XIV and even Marie-Antoinette.
