By Maria Akaras
Elm Staff Writer
President Donald Trump has officially made his mark on the White House, demolishing the entire East Wing of the building last week. Trump did not release a statement prior to the demolition and now plans to replace the wing with a 90,000 square foot ballroom.
These choices are not reflective of the democracy the United States is meant to uphold. Rather, they reflect Trump’s ego, audacity, and unchecked power.
Demolition commenced on Oct. 22, when a wrecking ball began to destroy the East Wing. According to the New York Times, when Trump initially shared his intentions of building a ballroom, he ensured that the existing White House structure would not be impacted, “and [would pay] total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” Trump said.
Consequently, the public was shocked. The history of the space, the opinions of the American people, and the input of Congress were not considered prior to beginning construction. Americans are now left wondering why Trump feels entitled to take such drastic action purely of his own accord.
Regardless of Trump’s feelings or desires, the White House does not belong to him, and the building holds a long history that has nothing to do with him. Destroying the East Wing will not erase its history or significance, but the demolition is still extremely disrespectful.
The ballroom is estimated to cost upwards of $300 million and is being funded by private donors. According to CNN, Trump himself stated he will “donate whatever is needed.”
These choices are not reflective of the democracy the United States is meant to uphold. Rather, they reflect Trump’s ego, audacity, and unchecked power.
According to CNN, since the demolition, Trump has gone on to disparage the East Wing and promote the ballroom. The “expansive, expensive, glittering ballroom Trump says will hold close to 1,000 people and will reflect the glory of the country in a way he deems suitable.
Trump has yet to explain why the overpriced, elaborate ballroom is the best way to “reflect the glory of the country,” or why the glory and history that is already there is not satisfactory.
Perhaps the East Wing was of little importance to Trump, but to many Americans it held great significance, as it housed the First Lady’s office. According to CNN, “It’s the only place she has to really call her own,” author of writings regarding the White House Kate Andersen Brower said.
Trump made clear even before the demolition that he did not respect the first ladies history with the wing. The halls of the East Wing are lined with portraits of first ladies, but Trump has taken it upon himself to add a dramatic painting of his face as the American flag between portraits of Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, according to CNN.
Trump is clearly not comfortable with allowing the East Wing to be associated with anyone but himself.
Furthermore, the White House is the people’s house, and the people do not approve of Trump’s decision.
According to ABC News, 45% of Americans strongly oppose the demolition and construction plans, with only 15% of Americans strongly in support. Only 28% of Americans support it at all, with 56% of Americans in opposition to Trump’s plans.
Given these facts, it is clear that only an inflated ego and large sense of entitlement could lead one to make these decisions.
The Trump administration is claiming that this construction is no different from construction that past presidents have done. “‘Nearly every single president who has lived in this beautiful White House … has made modernizations and renovations of their own,’” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, according to CNN.
It is true that other presidents have had construction done on the White House, however, none have gone as far as to destroy an entire wing of the building. In fact, according to NPR, the only exterior changes that have been made since 1942 have been only “simple restoration or minor site additions.”
Additionally, past presidents have not blatantly lied like Trump did when he claimed the structure of the East Wing would not be impacted by the ballroom. Trump continues to be tight-lipped regarding the ballroom, another move that is not in line with past presidential behavior.
According to PBS News, at this time, Trump does not have approval from the National Capital Planning Commission to move forward with his ballroom construction. Yet, he demolished the wing, and is now moving forward with construction, disregarding the lack of approval.
The American people deserve better than a president who is putting their desire for personal glory above that of the people’s wishes, the history of the nation, and the law. Even though this ballroom may not affect most Americans, the impacts of this level of arrogance and unchecked power could be dire for the future of the United States.
Photo Caption: Trump demolishes centuries of history in the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to begin construction of his ballroom.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons