White House Legacy Project Unveiled: Trump's Expensive Flagpole and Majestic Ballroom
The White House is set for a significant transformation, as President Donald Trump plans to construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom off the East Wing of the mansion. The ambitious project, scheduled to begin in September 2025, is expected to cost $200 million and will be privately funded by Trump and other donors [1][2][3].
The new ballroom will replace the current East Wing structure, maintaining architectural harmony with the main White House building while providing a much larger event space. This will eliminate the need for temporary outdoor tents for state dinners and other official functions [1][2].
The construction project will be overseen by Clark Construction, with engineering support from AECOM. Security enhancements will be provided by the U.S. Secret Service. White House officials emphasize that the ballroom is a lasting addition for future administrations, aiming to honour the historic character of the White House while addressing the limitations of existing event spaces [1][2].
Trump's plans for the White House have not gone unnoticed. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the updates during a speech, commenting that the White House now looks "the opposite of drab" compared to old family photos during his uncle's era [4].
However, Trump's ideas for the White House have not always been welcomed. In 2010, he proposed building a new ballroom, but his offer was declined [7]. Trump has not shied away from drawing comparisons between the White House and his private clubs, and the gold-and-white style of the new ballroom closely mimics the Louis XIV-style main event room at Mar-a-Lago [5].
The Oval Office has already seen changes, with lashings of gold decoration and some items coming directly from Mar-a-Lago. The Rose Garden has also been paved over with stone to replicate the patio at Mar-a-Lago, and presidential seals have been embedded into the stone, with drainage grates styled like American flags [6]. Trump's concern about women's high heels sinking into the soil during events has led to the Rose Garden being replaced with light-coloured square pavers [8].
Two large flagpoles now tower over the North and South Lawns of the White House, with Trump personally dictating their design and installation [9]. Trump believes his cosmetic changes to the White House, including the new ballroom, will contribute to his legacy [10].
Despite the changes, Jackie Kennedy's extensive redecoration of the State Floor during her time in the White House remains in place today [11]. Her designs continue to add a touch of elegance and history to the White House, providing a stark contrast to the modern updates proposed by Trump.
President Trump has held several meetings at the White House this summer with various audiences, including foreign delegations, Cabinet members, and industry executives [12]. The construction of the new ballroom is set to begin, and the White House will continue to evolve under Trump's vision.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whitehouse-ballroom-idUSKBN25921J [2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [3] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans/index.html [4] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans/index.html [5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [7] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans/index.html [8] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [9] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans/index.html [10] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [11] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/14/trump-white-house-ballroom-plans-200-million/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whitehouse-ballroom-idUSKBN25921J
- The ambitious construction project of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom in the White House is not just about politics, as it also includes elements of pop-culture, with Trump's design imitating that of his private clubs.
- The $200 million project, set to begin in 2025, has attracted attention from war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice sectors, as some have raised concerns about the funds being allocated for such a project during a time of national crisis.
- Meanwhile, the entertainment industry and celebrity world have been following the developments closely, with many expressing their opinions on Trump's vision for the White House transformation.
- The new ballroom will undoubtedly have an impact on general-news and sports categories, as state dinners and official functions will no longer require temporary outdoor tents, potentially providing more opportunities for live broadcasts.
- Despite the ongoing transformations, the historic character of the White House remains intact, with Jackie Kennedy's extensive redecoration of the State Floor still in place, offering a blend of old and new in the political landscape.
