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President Donald Trump dismissed backlash on Tuesday over the partial demolition of the White House to make way for a new ballroom, claiming the noise from construction was “music to my ears.” Critics, including Democrats, accused him of showing disrespect to the historic residence after images surfaced of excavators tearing away the East Wing’s facade.
As journalists from AFP watched the demolition continue throughout Tuesday, Democratic leaders also criticized him for advancing a $250 million renovation plan amidst a backdrop of a government shutdown and rising living costs. Trump, 79, emphasized that the renovation was necessary and insisted that taxpayers wouldn’t bear any of the costs. He mentioned that he is partially funding the project himself, with private and corporate donors covering the remaining expenses.
Last week, Trump hosted a lavish dinner for donors, featuring guests from major tech companies, though the White House has yet to release a guest list or financial details. The White House responded dismissively to the criticism, describing it as “manufactured outrage” by “unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies” over the addition of a large, privately funded ballroom.
They defended the project as a “bold and essential” upgrade that continues a tradition of presidential renovations intended to keep the White House a symbol of American excellence. The White House also highlighted previous renovations by past presidents, including Barack Obama’s upgrade of the tennis court into a full basketball court.
In his second term, Trump has overseen a significant overhaul of the White House, including paving over the Rose Garden, where he previously held Republican senator meetings. Democrats sharply condemned the demolition, equating it to Trump’s broader efforts to overhaul the federal government and target his political rivals. Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono remarked, “The demolition of the East Wing feels very symbolic of what Trump is doing to our democracy. He’ll claim to protect it, then tear it apart before your eyes.” Elizabeth Warren added that amidst America’s rising costs of living, Trump appears to be deaf to the concerns while bulldozing part of the White House to build a new ballroom.
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