Topline
At a Hispanic Heritage Month event Wednesday, President Donald Trump defended his various Washington, D.C. construction projects from public and media scrutiny, claiming the White House needed repairs because it had “massive gaping wounds all over the place.”
Trump defended his White House renovations Wednesday. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Trump painted a dire portrait of the White House’s condition before he launched various renovation projects, saying it was “falling down” and “in bad shape” with plaster falling off exterior and interior walls, though he said he refuses to call it a “dump.”
During his second presidential term, Trump has embarked on various renovation and construction projects in the White House and across Washington, including security enhancements, the addition of a new helipad and the construction of a ballroom he has long touted.
Trump claimed the White House renovations did not cost a lot of money and defended the projects from media scrutiny, saying, “I’m president, somebody had to do it.”
Trump did not put a price tag on the White House renovations, but the Washington Post reported last month various projects could top an estimated $900 million, while the New York Times previously reported projects across Washington could top $1 billion, with both reports saying taxpayers will foot much of the bill.
Trump also said he donated his presidential salary to be used for White House renovations, lamenting he does not get “credit” for it before saying, “I don’t really want credit.”
What Is Trump Renovating At The White House?
Among Trump’s most notable White House projects is the planned ballroom, for which he demolished the East Wing last year. The Washington Post reported the ballroom may cost an estimated $600 million, with taxpayers paying about half of that sum. Trump, who has long advocated for building the ballroom, has portrayed it as a security necessity after a gunman fired shots at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner earlier this year. Other White House projects include security enhancements, such as fortification of the front door, a new helipad and upgrades to the Rose Garden. Across Washington, Trump also launched projects repairing various parks and memorials, as well as the Kennedy Center performing arts venue, which abruptly closed earlier this month for emergency repairs.
tangent
Though Trump said Wednesday he doesn’t want “credit” for donating his salary for White House repairs, his administration is locked in a court battle to reinstate his name on the Kennedy Center to recognize his fundraising contributions. Lawyers representing the administration have argued Trump must be recognized in some way, claiming donors will not contribute to the venue otherwise. The Kennedy Center’s board, largely filled with Trump allies, attempted to rename the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center” before a judge blocked the effort in May, saying such a change requires congressional approval. The Kennedy Center then unveiled a plan to inscribe Trump’s name on the building’s marble facade to thank him for fielding donations, though a judge said that would violate his prior order. Trump and Justice Department lawyers have portrayed the Kennedy Center as being in a dire structural and financial state, calling it “dangerously dilapidated, outdated, and decrepit” and facing “terminal decline” in a court filing. Trump has threatened to demolish the building if his name is not reinstated.
further reading
Bill To Prevent Kennedy Center Demolition Introduced In Both Houses After Earlier Effort Failed (Forbes)
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