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WASHINGTON: Donald Trump is making unprecedented efforts to reshape the architecture of Washington, from a gold-accented White House to extensive city renovations. Earlier this month, the former real estate mogul announced his plans for a $200 million ballroom at the White House, emphasizing his pride in creating and building large-scale projects. Known for his glittering hotels and casinos, critics argue that his White House upgrades reflect a similar flamboyant style, reminiscent of his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, with features such as the newly paved Rose Garden decorated with picnic tables and umbrellas.
During his first term, stylist Peter York called his aesthetic “dictator chic,” comparing it to the decor favored by foreign autocrats. Recently, Trump unveiled broader ambitions for the nation’s capital, linking his efforts to beautify Washington with a tough-on-crime approach, including deploying troops to the city—a Democratic-run area—where he also held a military parade on his birthday.
Peter Loge, director at George Washington University’s School of Media, commented, “This is a demonstration of power. Trump often puts his name on bibles and casinos, so the logic follows—except now he’s affecting lives, the nation’s reputation, and its democratic legacy.”
In the 225-year history of the White House, Trump is among the few presidents to undertake such extensive renovations. Past updates include Franklin Roosevelt’s 1934 Oval Office construction, Harry Truman’s overhaul completed in 1951, and John F. Kennedy’s 1961 creation of the modern Rose Garden. The White House Historical Association notes that the building remains a dynamic symbol of American democracy, evolving over time as a national landmark.
Stewart McLaurin, the association’s president, stated that while renovations have historically attracted criticism for costs and preservation concerns, they have ultimately become integral to the White House’s identity. However, Trump’s current modifications are among the most extensive in nearly a century. His recent additions include gold trim, decorative objects, and a transformed Rose Garden turned patio, which he justified as a response to women’s high heels sinking into the grass. Visitors now often hear music from his playlist emanating from the patio, which also features oversized U.S. flags and a giant mirror on the West Wing colonnade—allowing Trump to see himself leaving the Oval Office.
Trump claims to finance these upgrades himself, but larger projects like the new East Wing ballroom will rely on outside funding. The White House indicated the $2 billion plan to revamp Washington, including a marble-clad Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and city infrastructure repairs, will seek support from Trump and patriotic donors. Meanwhile, Trump envisions a gleaming capital similar to Saudi Arabia’s skyline, with plans for extensive beautification, graffiti removal, and infrastructure repairs, such as fixing roads and barriers.
His political rhetoric also involves a crackdown with the National Guard, which he has threatened to extend to other cities like Chicago. He has publicly suggested that Americans might “prefer a dictator,” despite denying any authoritarian tendencies. His imagery is also on display in the form of enormous posters of his face in prominent government building entrances, including the Department of Labor.
Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer extended an invitation to Trump, saying, “Mr. President, I invite you to see your big, beautiful face displayed on a banner outside the Department of Labor.”
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