President Trump has replaced architect James McCrery II with Shalom Baranes for the White House ballroom project. McCrery, who advised against Trump’s plans to drastically increase the ballroom’s size, reportedly departed the project due to the inability of his team to meet the project’s demanding deadlines and Trump’s desire to expand the project. The new architect brings decades of experience designing government buildings in Washington, D.C. The expansion, initially estimated at $200 million, has ballooned to $300 million and Trump aims to have it completed by 2029, even though no official public review has taken place.
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President Trump is reportedly at odds with the architect designing a new White House ballroom, reportedly demanding a structure even larger than the White House itself. This has led to friction, as architect James McCrery II has cautioned against the excessive scale of the addition, which is expected to house offices and impact the surrounding areas. The project, which has undergone no public review, is part of a broader, unilateral redesign plan driven by Trump’s preference for gold-heavy aesthetics and personal iconography. While White House officials insist dialogue is constructive, critics have voiced concerns over transparency and the project’s massive scope, as well as the destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the impending design of the New Ballroom to replace the East Wing.
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The sudden demolition of the East Wing of the White House in October has raised questions about the scope of the planned replacement. The new addition, at 90,000 square feet, significantly exceeds the size of the original mansion and is larger than what would typically be needed for a ballroom. While official drawings depict a banquet hall, its considerable size suggests it might function more like a convention center. Though the structure will include offices and other facilities, details remain scarce.
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According to Michael Wolff, Donald Trump secretly orchestrated the demolition of the White House’s East Wing with the goal of constructing a new ballroom. Trump reportedly considered demolishing the historic building under the cover of night to avoid public outcry. Despite this plan failing, the administration still attempted to conceal the damage by prohibiting federal employees from sharing demolition photos and by erecting a high fence around the construction site. It is also believed that the new ballroom, which will be much larger than the Executive Residence, will be named the Trump Ballroom.
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Nearly 2/3 of Americans Disapprove of Trump Ballroom Plan, and the sheer magnitude of that disapproval is, frankly, something to take note of. It’s hard to ignore that level of sentiment. One can’t help but wonder what the other third is thinking – or, perhaps, if they’re even thinking about it at all. It does raise questions, doesn’t it?
The situation is made even more interesting by the fact that the project itself – a ballroom, no less – seems to be completely out of touch with the current needs of the American people. Healthcare, jobs, and affordable housing are pressing concerns, but a fancy ballroom?… Continue reading
In a recent episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart highlighted potential hints that Donald Trump may be considering a third presidential term. Stewart pointed to Trump’s ambiguous response to a journalist’s question about challenging the court for a third term and the presence of “Trump 2028” merchandise. Furthermore, Stewart noted Trump’s dismissal of running as vice president as “too cute,” which further suggested Trump is at least thinking about how to get a third term. These observations lead to the implication that Trump is seriously considering extending his time in office.
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In a surprising turn of events, the White House’s East Wing was demolished to make way for President Trump’s planned $300 million ballroom. The demolition included the Office of the First Lady, the historic East Colonnade, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Despite the destruction, the White House moved forward without standard approval processes and instructed Treasury Department employees not to share photos. The demolition’s speed bypassed the typical review process, and while White House officials state the East Wing will be rebuilt, it is uncertain what will happen to the staffers previously housed there.
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Trump likely to name White House ballroom after himself, officials say. Well, here we are, facing the seemingly inevitable: the strong likelihood that the new White House ballroom will bear the name of none other than Donald J. Trump. Senior administration officials, it seems, are already casually referring to it as “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom,” and the prevailing sentiment is that this moniker is here to stay. Frankly, does anyone find this surprising? It aligns perfectly with a long-standing pattern of branding construction projects with his own name, a testament to his well-documented ego and love of self-promotion.
Now, let’s be honest, it’s pretty much a given that history won’t look kindly on his presidencies, and this move just cements that legacy further.… Continue reading
The Trump administration is planning to demolish the entirety of the White House’s East Wing to construct a new ballroom, with an estimated cost of $300 million funded by private donors. While initially planned as a renovation, it was determined that a complete demolition was necessary for security and technology upgrades, impacting offices and visitor areas. This decision has sparked controversy, with historic preservation groups expressing concern and some criticizing the project as a desecration. The administration has responded by stating that many past presidents have modified the building and that the project will allow the White House to host major functions.
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Multiple sources within the Trump administration have confirmed the White House’s East Wing will be demolished imminently to make way for a new ballroom. While Trump has stated he will personally fund the $200 million project and that the demolition is necessary for proper construction, plans for the new ballroom have not been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission. Despite White House claims that demolition does not require commission approval, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged a pause, citing concerns over the project’s scale and potential disruption to the White House’s design. The project is already facing criticism, as Trump’s earlier statements claimed the new construction would not impact the existing structure.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood