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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The investigation into the deadly Hong Kong highrise fire revealed that some of the scaffolding netting used in renovations failed to meet fire-safety standards. Initial tests were misleading, but subsequent analysis of collected samples showed seven failed standards, likely due to contractors prioritizing profit over safety. The fire, which claimed at least 151 lives, started on the lower netting and spread rapidly, engulfing multiple buildings. In the wake of the tragedy, authorities have arrested at least 13 people, while suppressing public criticism and dissent.
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The proposed White House ballroom project, privately funded, has undergone significant changes since its announcement, including an increased capacity and cost. Concerns have been raised about whether former President Trump adhered to historical rules during the construction of the ballroom. Trump reportedly encouraged construction teams to disregard traditional permitting and zoning regulations, as highlighted by a New York Times report. To facilitate the project, Trump replaced key members of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission with loyalists.
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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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Construction of President Trump’s massive new White House ballroom commenced Monday, with the demolition of the East Wing occurring rapidly. The addition, shrouded in secrecy, is projected to be the largest in White House history, nearly doubling the size of the existing main structure. Despite Trump’s earlier assurances, the ballroom’s construction required the removal of a significant portion of the White House. Details regarding the design and layout of the new ballroom have been scarce.
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The U.S. government entered a shutdown on October 1st, but the construction of the new White House ballroom will continue. President Trump announced the 90,000 square foot ballroom in July, to be located in the East Wing and funded by private donations, separate from federal budget negotiations. This funding allows the ballroom’s construction to proceed regardless of the government shutdown. The ballroom, planned to host foreign dignitaries, is expected to feature luxurious gold details similar to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and open before the end of his term.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump for continuing ballroom construction during a government shutdown. Newsom’s office shared an image of Trump with Marie Antoinette’s face, highlighting the contrast between the president’s lavish spending and potential cuts to public services. Despite the shutdown, a White House official confirmed that the $200 million expansion, privately funded by donors, will proceed. Companies like Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Palantir are reportedly contributing to the project.
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Due to President Trump’s planned construction project in the White House ballroom, all public tours scheduled for next month have been indefinitely canceled. The decision was made to accommodate the commencement of construction, which is set to begin in the coming weeks. This unprecedented shutdown of tours will affect visitors who had planned trips, potentially impacting tourism. Further updates on the resumption of tours will be provided as the construction timeline progresses.
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John Q. Hosedrinker