By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A recent YouGov America poll reveals that a majority of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s plan to demolish part of the East Wing of the White House for a new $250 million ballroom. The survey shows 53 percent disapprove of the demolition, and 50 percent disapprove of the overall renovation plans, with strong disapproval from Democrats and less definitive support from Republicans. While Trump has defended the demolition as necessary for proper construction, the poll indicates a significant level of public opposition. Independents also largely disapprove of both the renovations and the demolition.
Read the original article here
53 percent disapprove of White House East Wing demolition: Survey. That’s the headline, and it sparks a lot of thoughts. Honestly, the number feels low. Considering the current political climate and the fervor surrounding other historical preservation debates, I’d have guessed a much higher disapproval rate. Even in areas considered politically conservative, the reaction seems to be more pronounced.
Considering some hypothetical scenarios, if a different president were undertaking such a project – let’s say a complete demolition of a part of the White House – the reaction would likely be drastically different. The fact that only 53% disapprove is, frankly, bewildering. It’s hard to fathom how the numbers could be so evenly split, with a significant portion either approving or remaining unsure.
The survey also indicates that the number who are unsure is 24 percent, a not insignificant figure. This could stem from a lack of information, a feeling of apathy, or perhaps a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of news and political events. It’s a sad reality, but it’s easy to understand.
That 24 percent approval rating is equally hard to reconcile. It’s the same number that might be received for something as universally condemned as, say, handing over sensitive information to a foreign power. It’s difficult to wrap my head around that level of support, especially given the historical significance and symbolic weight of the White House.
The fact that some view this situation with a kind of detached amusement, almost as though it’s a foregone conclusion, is another troubling sign. The casual dismissal of the project, coupled with the assertion that those in favor are simply “in a cult,” highlights the deep divisions that run through our society right now. It is a frightening realization that some consider this, or anything, acceptable.
The deeper question is, what’s really happening here? Are people fully aware of the implications, the historical preservation aspects, the potential for asbestos contamination, and the lack of proper permits? Or is there a disconnect between the reality of the situation and the narrative being presented? In a country that is a democracy in name only, people’s opinions seem to matter less and less.
It’s easy to be distracted. The current administration has a lot on their plate, a lot of what I will be distracted by. A government shutdown, ICE’s actions, tariffs and trade policies, the conflicts in Israel and Palestine, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Russia. There’s also the Epstein scandal, the state of the domestic armed forces, military parades, inappropriate political rallies, and cryptocurrency scams. The number of issues is enormous.
This is the equivalent of a “let them eat cake” moment. People are struggling, and the focus is on a ballroom. It’s almost as if the administration is inviting a revolt. However, the sad truth is, the administration can act as they want and the public will not really have the final word.
The surveys and headlines are basically pointless. They will sit in power doing incredibly unpopular things with no repercussions. The very same people who cried and wailed about removing monuments applaud the literal destruction of America’s most sacred monument. There’s also an undercurrent of skepticism about the polls themselves. Are they representative? Are the questions worded in a way that truly captures public sentiment? I have never been asked to participate in any of these polls.
The response to this situation seems to be, “it doesn’t matter.” Unless someone steps up to hold people accountable, the response will stay the same. Destroying the White House may be the least of the country’s worries.
It’s almost as if there’s a disconnect between the narrative and the reality. The lack of outrage is concerning. It’s also possible that many Americans are simply unaware of the situation, while others are too disillusioned to fully express their opinions. The sad fact remains that we are at a point where a large portion of the population is either disengaged, misinformed, or simply doesn’t care.
With all of that said, it leaves me wondering: what the hell is wrong with 47% of the population? The 47% is too many. The point of the demolition is that it doesn’t matter what percentage of us disapprove anymore.