Trump knocking down historic East Wing to build Ballroom - is this LEGAL?

[eclipsenow]

As an Aussie looking on - I just shake my head in wonder.

First - he was meant to be talking to the head of NATO.

Second - he decides he would rather bring out plans for his ballroom. "No body's ever seen anything like it."
(I mean - can he learn another phrase?)

Third - is this even LEGAL? Isn't there history that should be preserved? Isn't this part of a National Trust or something?

Fourth - who is paying for it?
Because now the bill's gone up to $300 MILLION.
Great estimates Trump! Nice job!

For a gaudy, golden throne-room to his NPD. I mean - I guess it makes sense to retrofit the whole place after his own heart. He owns it. According to his latest Truth Social fantasies - he's the King who poos on his people!

And this is the ultimate metaphor for it.

Tearing down the rose garden, ancient trees, and now the East Wing itself - and remaking it in his own image.

 

[Tuur]

An Aussie can be forgiven for not knowing some of the history of the world's most expensive tenant house. It was first remodeled in 1814, courtesy of the British Army. Apparently, the rebuilding wasn't as sound as first thought, and there were various issues. There was various remodeling over the years, but things were apparently kind of sketchy. A former maid (Lilian Parks) told in her memoirs that rats were so bad once that they got dogs to control them, but the dogs disappeared, T. Roosevelt put an office in the White House (at that time the East Wing was an entrance / cloak room); and I think F. Roosevelt had an elevator put in, for obvious reasons. He also had an indoor swimming pool constructed. The White House Press Room? That's where the old swimming pool was. The White House was in such shape in the Truman years that a piano fell into a floor when the boards gave way. That lead to a complete remodeling, this time without the British Army involved. The entire interior was gutted, leaving the exterior intact, and rebuilt. Since then, Jackie Kennedy had the place remodeled again; Nixon had a bowling lane put in; Ford a new swimming pool; all sorts of changes to the grounds, including one that caused issues in the Rose Garden (which didn't exist in until 1913, IIRC).

As to who's paying for the renovations this time, it's from private donations, including from Trump.

 

[eclipsenow]

An Aussie can be forgiven for not knowing some of the history of the world's most expensive tenant house. It was first remodeled in 1814, courtesy of the British Army. Apparently, the rebuilding wasn't as sound as first thought, and there were various issues. There was various remodeling over the years, but things were apparently kind of sketchy. A former maid (Lilian Parks) told in her memoirs that rats were so bad once that they got dogs to control them, but the dogs disappeared, T. Roosevelt put an office in the White House (at that time the East Wing was an entrance / cloak room); and I think F. Roosevelt had an elevator put in, for obvious reasons. He also had an indoor swimming pool constructed. The White House Press Room? That's where the old swimming pool was. The White House was in such shape in the Truman years that a piano fell into a floor when the boards gave way. That lead to a complete remodeling, this time without the British Army involved. The entire interior was gutted, leaving the exterior intact, and rebuilt. Since then, Jackie Kennedy had the place remodeled again; Nixon had a bowling lane put in; Ford a new swimming pool; all sorts of changes to the grounds, including one that caused issues in the Rose Garden (which didn't exist in until 1913, IIRC).

Interesting history - thanks! I wish there was film of that piano falling through!

As to who's paying for the renovations this time, it's from private donations, including from Trump.

We shall see.
But I am sad about the rose garden and some of the lost history - especially the beautiful old trees.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

As an Aussie looking on - I just shake my head in wonder.

First - he was meant to be talking to the head of NATO.

Second - he decides he would rather bring out plans for his ballroom. "No body's ever seen anything like it."
(I mean - can he learn another phrase?)

Third - is this even LEGAL? Isn't there history that should be preserved? Isn't this part of a National Trust or something?

Fourth - who is paying for it?
Because now the bill's gone up to $300 MILLION.
Great estimates Trump! Nice job!

For a gaudy, golden throne-room to his NPD. I mean - I guess it makes sense to retrofit the whole place after his own heart. He owns it. According to his latest Truth Social fantasies - he's the King who poos on his people!

And this is the ultimate metaphor for it.

Tearing down the rose garden, ancient trees, and now the East Wing itself - and remaking it in his own image.

Well, we know that Mr. Trump will push any envelope. But unfortunately, the law is on his side this time. The " people's house" is basically unprotected by this provision in the National Historic Preservation Act:

SEC. 107. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to be applicable to the White House and its grounds, the Supreme Court building and its grounds, or the United States Capitol and its related buildings and grounds.

In essence, the exemption was a political and constitutional carve-out to ensure that the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court retained full autonomy over their principal workplaces and grounds without being subject to the review and consultation mandate of an outside historic preservation agency.

 

[eclipsenow]

That's a shame. When Australia constructed a new parliament house we kept the old one. I would have thought given the longer history of the USA and the sometimes global importance of decisions made in various rooms of the White house that keeping the structure intact and historically accurate would have been even more important than Australia keeping our old parliament house as a museum.

Even if the White house is gradually repaired and replaced plank by plank like the Ship of Theseus - I would have thought by now the White House structure had a place in the heart of Americans.

I've watched the West wing series twice, and may go in for a third time watching it with my wife. It's one of the best written series of all time, up there with possibly Breaking Bad a close second from the sheer power of the character writing.

The impression I got from that series must be wrong. I thought people had a sentimental, nostalgic, almost reverent respect for the White house.

Trump putting a carbon copy of the Kremlin's ballroom smack down on the White House is like someone decided they needed Marvel's Black Widow to replace the Statue of Liberty.

I guess some people just can't have enough Kitsch.

He really does want to be Vladimir Putin.

 

[Servus]

Theodore Roosevelt Renovation (1902): This renovation expanded the space by adding the West Wing, establishing it as the primary office space for the president. It also removed the Victorian-era decor that had accumulated over the years to restore the building's more classical style.

Coolidge Administration Expansion (1927): President Calvin Coolidge oversaw the addition of a third floor to the residence.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Expansion (1930s–1940s): The West Wing was overhauled in 1934, and the Oval Office was relocated. In 1942, the East Wing was added to conceal an underground bunker. And an indoor swimming pool was installed.

Harry S. Truman Reconstruction (1948–1952): Considered the most significant renovation in the building's history, the interior was completely gutted. Only the exterior walls were preserved.

Richard Nixon Expansion (1973): A bowling alley was added.
Donald Trump Expansion (2025): A ballroom is being added to the East Wing

 

[probinson]

After all of this hand wringing, I certainly hope no future president ever uses this ballroom.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Theodore Roosevelt Renovation (1902): This renovation expanded the space by adding the West Wing, establishing it as the primary office space for the president. It also removed the Victorian-era decor that had accumulated over the years to restore the building's more classical style.

Coolidge Administration Expansion (1927): President Calvin Coolidge oversaw the addition of a third floor to the residence.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Expansion (1930s–1940s): The West Wing was overhauled in 1934, and the Oval Office was relocated. In 1942, the East Wing was added to conceal an underground bunker. And an indoor swimming pool was installed.

Harry S. Truman Reconstruction (1948–1952): Considered the most significant renovation in the building's history, the interior was completely gutted. Only the exterior walls were preserved.

Richard Nixon Expansion (1973): A bowling alley was added.
Donald Trump Expansion (2025): A ballroom is being added to the East Wing

News flash! The East Wing is being torn down completely. So an East Wing will no longer exist. New Name ( im guessing) will be the Trump Wing.

 

[durangodawood]

That's a shame. When Australia constructed a new parliament house we kept the old one. I would have thought given the longer history of the USA and the sometimes global importance of decisions made in various rooms of the White house that keeping the structure intact and historically accurate would have been even more important than Australia keeping our old parliament house as a museum.

Even if the White house is gradually repaired and replaced plank by plank like the Ship of Theseus - I would have thought by now the White House structure had a place in the heart of Americans.

I've watched the West wing series twice, and may go in for a third time watching it with my wife. It's one of the best written series of all time, up there with possibly Breaking Bad a close second from the sheer power of the character writing.

The impression I got from that series must be wrong. I thought people had a sentimental, nostalgic, almost reverent respect for the White house.

Trump putting a carbon copy of the Kremlin's ballroom smack down on the White House is like someone decided they needed Marvel's Black Widow to replace the Statue of Liberty.

I guess some people just can't have enough Kitsch.

He really does want to be Vladimir Putin.

View attachment 371963

This new ballroom is weak and sad. Compared to the Russian example its a glorified cafeteria dining room.

 

[Servus]

News flash! The East Wing is being torn down completely. So an East Wing will no longer exist. New Name ( im guessing) will be the Trump Wing.

Theodore Roosevelt renovation (1902): an East Terrace was rebuilt to serve as the main entrance for social events.

FDR expansion (1942): The structure was significantly expanded and formalized into the two-story East Wing.

So the East Wing didn't even exist until 1942. Making it only 83 years old, not 233 years old like the original White house. It's an extension that was added 150 years later in the 20th century.

 

[Fantine]

Trump putting a carbon copy of the Kremlin's ballroom smack down on the White House is like someone decided they needed Marvel's Black Widow to replace the Statue of Liberty.

Don't even say it. Growing up near the Big Apple, I always loved seeing the Statue of Liberty in NY Harbor, picturing my grandparents' first glimpses of Lady Liberty after their long journey.

Last night I had a nightmare of Lady Liberty with an ICE Mask holding up a club.

 

[camille70]

This saddens me. It also speaks volumes that the building for entertaining and entertainment will be bigger than the building for doing the peoples business.

How often does the white house have 200-400 visitors all at once?

 

[Servus]

The hoopla and outrage over a ballroom replacing tents on the lawn is hilarious to me.

 

[Servus]

This saddens me. It also speaks volumes that the building for entertaining and entertainment will be bigger than the building for doing the peoples business.

How often does the white house have 200-400 visitors all at once?

The White House can have 200-400 visitors at a time, and it does so regularly, as it receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.

 

[camille70]

The White House can have 200-400 visitors at a time, and it does so regularly, as it receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.

They have daily ballroom events?

 

[Servus]

They have daily ballroom events?

Why does it have to be daily?

 

[camille70]

Why does it have to be daily?

It doesn't. Right now however, it's an unnecessary extravagance, regardless of who is paying for it.

 

[eclipsenow]

Theodore Roosevelt Renovation (1902): This renovation expanded the space by adding the West Wing, establishing it as the primary office space for the president. It also removed the Victorian-era decor that had accumulated over the years to restore the building's more classical style.

Coolidge Administration Expansion (1927): President Calvin Coolidge oversaw the addition of a third floor to the residence.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Expansion (1930s–1940s): The West Wing was overhauled in 1934, and the Oval Office was relocated. In 1942, the East Wing was added to conceal an underground bunker. And an indoor swimming pool was installed.

Harry S. Truman Reconstruction (1948–1952): Considered the most significant renovation in the building's history, the interior was completely gutted. Only the exterior walls were preserved.

Richard Nixon Expansion (1973): A bowling alley was added.
Donald Trump Expansion (2025): A ballroom is being added to the East Wing

It's not added to the East Wing. Instead the East Wing is largely being destroyed along with hundred years old trees to install a tacky copy of a Russian dictator's ballroom.

But that's what you get when you elect a convicted felon real estate conman diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder by over 230 mental health experts.

It's your country - you can laugh at what he's doing to your history and credibility. But you are right, perspective is important!

He always gets what he wants - grabbing women inappropriately and avoiding jail time, real estate fraud against the state of New York, calling election officials to rig the election without consequence.- and hanging out with Epstein without handing over the files as promised.

In light of all that, why be troubled that he's turning The White house into a kitsch Russian dollhouse? Meh. I could care less, and should probably just go back to watching him fly that fighter jet as he poos all over American citizens.

But just don't expect international leaders to be impressed just because Trump covers everything in an awful layer of gold paint to satisfy his ego. They're already laughing at him behind the scenes.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

This saddens me. It also speaks volumes that the building for entertaining and entertainment will be bigger than the building for doing the peoples business.

How often does the white house have 200-400 visitors all at once?

The capacity is 999 per Mr. Trump.

 

[Servus]

It doesn't. Right now however, it's an unnecessary extravagance, regardless of who is paying for it.

The US White House holding formal functions indoors, instead of outside in plastic tents, shouldn't be viewed as an extravagance. The US isn't a third world country.