A former aide to Donald Trump has suggested the real reason why the controversial 47th president of the United States has decided to tear down the White House’s East Wing and replace it with a $250m ballroom.
On Monday, construction teams began dismantling sections of the building as part of preparations to erect a new ballroom on the historic location, sparking outrage both in the USA and across the globe.
Following the start of the work, there has been speculation as to why it is taking place now, and why it is progressing so rapidly. The development comes just days after Trump revealed his plans to construct an Arc de Triomphe style monument in Washington.
Dubbed the ‘Arc De Trump’ it has been conceived to mark the USA’s 250th anniversary next year, but critics have questioned whether this, and the new ballroom, form part of something more ambitious – Trump’s legacy.
Speaking to the Telegraph, one former aide suggested that Trump’s mortality could be what’s motivating him to demolish and erect new monuments and sections in America’s political heart, reports the Mirror.
They told the publication: “I think he wants to be remembered in a way that honours his legacy. He’s rebuilding this country, he’s rebuilding the government, but you have to deconstruct before you can construct. This is a classic Donald Trump.”
Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
Also speaking to the publication were people working on the location, with one individual describing the pace at which the work was taking place as “nuts”. Meanwhile, a contractor named Joe, 34, was more hopeful: “Right now, it’s a big dirt pit with a couple of mountains of scrap, but hopefully it’s going to look nice when it’s done.”
While some have expressed optimism about the final outcome, others have been less complimentary, with historians and political figures criticising the new project.
Elaine Kamarck, a former government official who served in the White House between 1993 and 1997, told The Guardian that the building was “typical Trump”.
She elaborated: “It’s an abomination It’s typical Trump and it’s going to look awful. They’re knocking down the entire East Wing of the White House. It’s not the end of the world but it’s just one more reason that Americans are getting sick of King Trump.”
Historian Jonathan Alter suggested that it was indicative not just of Trump’s architectural style, but also his approach to governing in his second term: “It’s not the worst thing that he’s done but there’s a perfect alignment between the visual image and the major theme of the Trump second term.
“Early on with Elon Musk it was a chainsaw. Now it’s a wrecking ball and that’s been their attitude. They’ve taken a wrecking ball to the rule of law.”
