President Donald Trump has announced plans to make dramatic changes to the White House. On October 26, a demolition crew tore down the White House’s east wing to transform it into Trump’s very own ballroom. The project will cost more than $ 300 million.
Americans from all walks of life criticize this project because it will destroy a historic part of the White House, the East Wing. In the past, the East Wing served as a workspace for the First Lady. The construction of a 900,000-square-foot ballroom indicates a shift in focus away from the First Lady’s traditional workspace. Trump plans to use this ballroom to host significant events. “Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry.” This title of a news article from The Guardian expresses the frustration many Americans feel: while Trump focuses on frivolous projects, poor people struggle with real crises.
Sophomore Irune Payas Gomez-Arrue states, “The money could be put to better use; the whole thing seems unnecessary.”
Senior Evan Wong says, “I think there are better things for the government to spend money on.”
These statements raise the question: Who is paying for this ballroom? The president announced that private donors, including Amazon, Google, T-Mobile, Microsoft, and more, will cover the cost. But the American people feel betrayed: Why should private companies renovate a building that symbolizes and belongs to all Americans? In an article from The Hill, Michelle Obama states, “We always felt it was the people’s house.” The White House should represent America, not one president’s idea of a dream house.
