Former President Donald Trump revealed in a Monday interview that he ultimately decided against demolishing the White House's East Wing to accommodate his proposed $300 million ballroom project. The revelation came during an exclusive conversation with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, where Trump detailed his reasoning behind the controversial architectural decision.
The Ballroom Compromise
Trump confessed that while he had considered razing the East Wing, he ultimately chose a different approach for his luxury ballroom project. The president emphasized that he "didn't want to sacrifice a great ballroom for an OK ballroom by leaving it right smack in the middle" of the proposed space.
During the interview, Trump defended his initial consideration to tear down the structure, despite having previously claimed the new ballroom "won't interfere with the current building." He described the East Wing as "a beautiful little, tiny structure that was built many years ago, that was renovated and expanded and de-spanded and columns ripped out."
Architectural Justifications
The former president provided detailed criticism of the East Wing's architectural merits, or lack thereof. "It had nothing to do with the original building," Trump asserted, calling the structure "a poor, sad sight." He explained that while he could have built the ballroom around the existing wing, the result would have been compromised.
Trump particularly criticized the building's modifications over time, noting that "the East Wing, that building was renovated 20 times, including adding a floor to the top, which was terrible." He further described the structure as being "out of common brick, little tiny windows, it looked like hell."
Funding and Global Ambitions
Significantly, Trump highlighted that "zero" public money is being spent on the $300 million venue, with the project entirely funded by private donors. This financial arrangement addresses potential concerns about taxpayer funding for the luxurious addition.
The former president boasted about the ballroom's projected quality, stating "We're gonna have the best ballroom anywhere in the world, and I built a lot of them." He added, "This will be one of the greatest ballrooms in the world," drawing on his extensive experience in luxury property development.
Melania Trump's Perspective
When Ingraham inquired about reports that First Lady Melania Trump "didn't love" the idea of demolishing the East Wing, Trump acknowledged her initial attachment to her office space within the structure. However, he claimed her perspective quickly evolved.
"She loved her little, tiny office in it, but you know what? She's very smart," Trump stated. "In about one day, she, if you would ask her now, she says, 'It's great.'"
The interview provided rare insight into the Trump administration's architectural considerations and the balancing act between preserving historical structures and implementing new luxury developments within the White House complex.
