Featured Image Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics
Dan Seddon
The White House categorically does not need a shiny new gold-plated ballroom, according to US residents.
A key review for president Donald Trump’s audacious project is set to go ahead at the National Capital Planning Commission tomorrow (March 5), having already been approved by the US Commission of Fine Arts in February. Yet the public reception surrounding both accounts has been damning, with the majority of online commenters shaking their heads.
Has Trump, who raised health concerns with a scabby neck this week, gone way overboard with his grand and garish vision?
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Per The New York Times, the NCPC welcomed approximately 32,000 messages in total.
One of which, written by architect Donna Wax, dubbed the 22,000-square-foot area a "fascist take on classism", while somebody else added: "The size and design of the proposed White House Ballroom are hideous. I object to the decision to ruin the American public’s historical legacy."
A woman named Penny Jarrett went on to stress: "What Donald Trump is doing to the White House and proposing for other construction is appalling. How could he just 'do that' without consent from you or Congress? PLEASE don't let him get away with him building this addition, gold-plated monstrosity, as it will be a replica of his 'gold-plated lifestyle' which is disgusting."
The commission, which is chaired by a member of the White House staff and ex-personal lawyer of Trump's, will pledge its vote on whether to action the project imminently.
A pre-meeting report acknowledged this "substantial" size of public outcry, "the majority in opposition" to the ballroom, but it still believes that getting on with the construction is best for everybody.
Another individual who disagrees, though, is Republican representative Michael Turner, co-chair of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus.
"I have substantial concerns regarding the action or inaction by the National Capital Planning Commission and/or the White House during the undertaking of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House," he shared back in October.
"The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were deeply disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nation's history."
In a Truth Social post penned around the same time, Trump himself proudly revealed to the world: "I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!
"For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!"