Donald Trump has undertaken a big, bold, and brash project that has created considerable public discourse and discussion. The peripatetic former President is currently demolishing the East Wing of the White House. His opinion is that this demolition is necessary so that a new ballroom can be developed that feels more intimate and meets modern needs. This initiative is only about $300 million. Its controversial nature is due to the fact that the East Wing has come to have a historic value, having served as a workplace for nearly every first lady over the last 50 years.
In July, Trump grandly announced that “the historic integrity of the East Wing would be preserved.” Then came the news that the building had been quietly razed. All this occurred in blatant violation of the assurances favoring the grand ballroom project. Trump’s rationale goes deeper than just personal whim. He argues that the previous space no longer served the needs of modernity.
A Passion for History or a Quest for Legacy?
Donald Trump has always claimed to have a deep love for American history, going so far as to complain about the removal of historic monuments. In a 2017 tweet, he lamented the “sad” trend of dismantling Confederate monuments, stating, “Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments.” He gets very animated about the point that you can’t change history, but you can at least learn from it. He invokes Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson to make his case.
Yet critics say that Trump has failed to make good on his professed promise to protect American history. With the East Wing demolition, his true motives have been called into doubt. Tons of people, including us, view the new $250 million ballroom as a monument to Trump’s legacy. They argue that it does a disservice to truly historical preservation.
“The message it sends to women in tech, and really women in general, is that we cannot count on unwavering support from big corporations.” – A tech worker
Within this unique context, Trump seeks to make his historic mark. This is the lasting legacy that he hopes will be seen as a bright shining star long after his presidency has concluded. By continuing to build a massive, expensive, glittering palace for every event and convention. His ultimate hope, though, is to provoke a deeper, longer-lasting change in American political culture.
The Constitutional Conundrum
While the story has focused on his signature, multi-billion dollar ballroom project, Trump has traded on this speculation to fuel his own possible return to the presidency. Since then, he’s invited mischief as to whether he would run a third time. This is despite the fact that the US Constitution’s 22nd Amendment explicitly bars any president from serving more than two terms. Donald Trump’s onetime Chief Strategist, Steven Bannon, has alluded to a plan that would get around this constitutional roadblock. He promised they would release their plan “in due course.”
Earlier this year, Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles proposed amending the Constitution to allow Trump to serve three terms, further fueling speculation about Trump’s political future. Bannon’s comments that Trump will “get a third term” have just deepened these speculations.
Second, Trump’s return to his third-term dream is greeted with wide exasperation and alarm by America’s political class and many of Trump’s political enemies. Or he could be preparing himself for long term political ambitions. What he’s doing with the East Wing might mar those aspirations.
“not joking” – Donald Trump
A Monument to Himself
The new ballroom is set to encompass 90,000 square feet and is touted by Trump as being “paid for 100% by me and some friends of mine.” This statement has sparked an important discussion about funding sources and financial transparency when it comes to government projects. Critics contend that these kinds of extravagant spending can’t be justified for a public space that has such deep historical roots.
As construction progresses, many wonder what lasting impact this ballroom will have on both the White House and American history as a whole. Will it be a home to the great events of our nation, as an example, in gratitude to Abraham Lincoln – or just a cool new statue to Trump himself? As plans progress, preservation advocates will be watching closely, both the details of the development and the precedent it sets for the future of historic preservation.