Clearly, Donald Trump is making headlines yet again. He is doubling down on the luxury lifestyle, at a time when millions of Americans are suffering from a growing economic anguish. Take, for example, his recent decision to accept a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar. He reportedly plans to use it as Air Force One. This announcement comes on the heels of quite the state dinner at the White House. It included a roster of nearly 130 rich donors, political cronies and corporate lobbyists for a gala honoring their monetary contributions to a posh $300 million ballroom for the Executive Mansion.
This opulence is a sharp contrast to the recent federal government shutdown that started two weeks ago. The shutdown has triggered significant disruptions in essential public services, affecting households, schools, and airports nationwide. Thousands of federal employees are about to lose their first full paycheck as a result of the continuing shutdown. This new normal goes hand-in-hand with staffing crises in vital professions, including airport security and air traffic control. Despite all these hurdles, the man’s aim seems clear, and his target seems Trump-proof, as he pushes for even more lavish mega-projects.
His childhood in an upper middle class enclave in Queens, New York would give him the confidence to pursue such grand designs. His father provided him with a $1 million loan, allowing him to start up projects in Manhattan. This measure was an important part of the foundation for his extensive future real estate empire. In truth, critics say, this was just another illustration of Trump’s distressing detachment when it comes to understanding the everyday experience of regular Americans.
Don’t be fooled—at last week’s White House dinner, Trump rewarded his true friends. He offered them all premiums based on their pledged contributions to the new, now $300 million—and counting—ballroom. The fundraiser was mostly a platform for showcasing Trump’s world-class fundraising abilities. It showed his commitment to stack personal indulgences high while others suffer economic devastation.
He’s garnered attention by dismissing all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts. This federally established independent agency was supposed to be the final arbiter on the ballroom project. This extreme step has been met with skepticism and concern for the lack of transparency and oversight on such a monumental endeavor.
Political analyst Larry Jacobs said he was bothered by Trump’s wealthy lifestyle in stark contrast to the plight of millions of Americans.
“There is a glaring gap between the life of Donald Trump, which is gold-plated and luxurious, and the life of so many Americans who are now being hit by the government shutdown.” – Larry Jacobs
Jacobs went beyond explaining the historical antecedents for Trump’s extravagance, drawing parallels with former eras of great American opulence.
“You have to go back in history to examples in the 1920s or the Gilded Age in the late 19th century to find this kind of opulence that’s not just going on but being advertised. That goes along with all the other efforts to enrich [Donald Trump] and his family and his friends. It’s a shocking display of the use of public power for private gain.” – Larry Jacobs
Public interest Advocates have strongly criticized Trump’s plans for the ballroom. Trump’s decision to move forward with such an expensive project unilaterally was called into question by former congressman and Republican presidential candidate Joe Walsh.
“This is somebody who’s a tyrant who believes he can ignore all laws, rules, norms and processes,” – Joe Walsh
Walsh continued, noting that the former president’s plans for a gold-plated ballroom in the White House are un-American.
“You have to draw the line on that. No, he cannot unilaterally demolish the East Wing and build a big old ballroom. This guy has no clue what America is. We don’t have palaces in America.” – Joe Walsh
In all of this, though, the worst criticism isn’t offending Trump – it’s fueling the fire. He’s apparently profited more than $1.8 billion dollars just in profit over the last year. His adventures reach into further afield, more unregulated realms, such as cryptocurrency, where he has not only created his own coins but aggressively sought deregulation.
The contrast between Trump’s lifestyle and the plight of average Americans raises serious questions about priorities during times of crisis. As federal services teeter on the brink of collapse and families struggle financially due to the ongoing shutdown, Trump’s focus on luxury projects appears increasingly misplaced.