This is not about renovating the White House. It is a message. He is converting this to Mar a Lago North. There never has been a need for a spacious ball room, this is not, until now, the Tsar's palace.
By plastering tacky gold leaf all over the Oval Office, by putting up two flagpoles, by tearing downt he east wing, which has been the office of the 1st Lady, and by planning a triumphal arch (triumph for what, his capture of the United States maybe, and finally destroying part of the White House to make it in his own image, He is sending a message.
Not only is the White House going to be Mar a Lago north, but he is going to leave, feet first on a gurney, and with his money and science today that will be a long long time.
If you think that he will leave on Jan 21st, 2029, think again. He has complete control of the organs of the state, the Judicial, the Legislative, the Executive including it's police powers and that includes the military.
Tearing down the east wing to build a ball room is his way of shit bombing America and telling us that our democratic institutions are kaput.
Elections? Remember Hungary, Russia and Turkey have elections.
The question is, if he expires who will be his successor? Vance or Jr?
This destruction (possibly intended to cover up secret rooms, computer surveillance centers, tunnels, & militarized bunkers being built so this admin can work and travel in secret when they declare martial law illegally?) is not normal. There is no reverence for history or aesthetics. This is a transformation of the White House into a gaudy ‘Mar-a-largo’
2.0. Something Putin would admire—with lots of gold. And even though it is supposed to be privately funded, who is making sure that tax payer dollars are not being used while private donations are going into bank accounts?
Totally understand where you’re coming from. When the symbolic heart of the country is being reshaped without transparency, it naturally raises suspicion, especially in an era where secrecy and spectacle often go hand in hand. I’m less focused on what might be under the surface and more on what’s happening above ground: the conversion of a civic institution into a personal brand stage. That transformation alone says a lot about where power lives now, and how little reverence is left for shared history, aesthetics, or democratic norms.
I think DT just feels really comfortable doing whatever he wants and this is just another phase of him showing off. He has said repeatedly that he can do whatever he wants. And then he does. He’s all surface and no substance. This actually seems like exactly what he would do. Do I like it? Nope. But we have greater concerns.
I do appreciate you attempting to bring a bit of historical reality. Our tendency is to blow up every time Trump breathes because he’s and this administration are definitely polluting every part of our government.
Thank you! This really gets at the nuance I was hoping to explore. You’re right: this kind of showy, surface-level move is exactly on-brand for him, and yes, there are far bigger emergencies unfolding. But it’s also why I wanted to step back and show how this fits a longer arc. Not to say “this is the worst thing ever,” but to ask what it means when power becomes all surface, and spectacle is the strategy.
And yes! Our constant state of alarm fatigue is part of the damage. It’s exhausting to stay alert when every move feels designed to bait outrage. I really appreciate you engaging with the piece and bringing that clarity.
Totally get the instinct, TR and Trump are wildly different figures in tone, policy, and political culture. But what interests me isn’t comparing personalities. It’s comparing how both used the symbolism of the presidency to reshape public expectations. TR embodied the rise of executive-centered nationalism; Trump embodies its full theatrical collapse. We’ve gone from Bull Moose to televised spectacle, but both moments tell us a lot about how American power reinvents itself.
Seems to me the TR construction was necessary. This ballroom isn’t. But… Nixon did put in a bowling alley. I don’t think he ruined any room(s) to do it tho.
I grew up in Aspen during the 70s-80s. The influential parents of my time there ranged from John Denver to Hunter S. Thompson. Trying to find ways to inspire influencers of today by some of the originals…before the computer.
I personally don't care about the white house... It's been burned down more than once and it's a symbol of oppression, greed, and opulance. I care that he isn't being held accountable for any of his wrong doings.
And when you have previously had a venue that could only accommodate 200 guests, those invitees will likely have had a chance to engage with each other and socialize; a kind of implied “intimacy” in the gathering. At an event hosting 900-1000 folks that former reality is probably lost to one of more showiness, etc. and perhaps people congregating and remaining in familiar groups.
Why aren't elected Ds out there in front of cameras as close as they can get to the building being destroyed!? Cable news has live shots they would split screen even if they’re in Lafayette Park.
It seems to me it's just another way for him to give us the middle finger, emphasizing his expectations that he will spend the money we pay in taxes any way he wants. I'd bet any money that any donors to the ballroom will enjoy favors from Trump at taxpayers expense.
As for his wife residing in that wing we all know they no longer live together, maybe subconsciously he is getting rid of any reminder of her. After all the man is crazy
Yes but that doesn’t make it right or was he creating a place for him to entertain his rich buddies, or without submitting the prober paper work or that he treated it like it was his house. Give trump time his golden name will be on the outside of the building.
This is not about renovating the White House. It is a message. He is converting this to Mar a Lago North. There never has been a need for a spacious ball room, this is not, until now, the Tsar's palace.
By plastering tacky gold leaf all over the Oval Office, by putting up two flagpoles, by tearing downt he east wing, which has been the office of the 1st Lady, and by planning a triumphal arch (triumph for what, his capture of the United States maybe, and finally destroying part of the White House to make it in his own image, He is sending a message.
Not only is the White House going to be Mar a Lago north, but he is going to leave, feet first on a gurney, and with his money and science today that will be a long long time.
If you think that he will leave on Jan 21st, 2029, think again. He has complete control of the organs of the state, the Judicial, the Legislative, the Executive including it's police powers and that includes the military.
Tearing down the east wing to build a ball room is his way of shit bombing America and telling us that our democratic institutions are kaput.
Elections? Remember Hungary, Russia and Turkey have elections.
The question is, if he expires who will be his successor? Vance or Jr?
This destruction (possibly intended to cover up secret rooms, computer surveillance centers, tunnels, & militarized bunkers being built so this admin can work and travel in secret when they declare martial law illegally?) is not normal. There is no reverence for history or aesthetics. This is a transformation of the White House into a gaudy ‘Mar-a-largo’
2.0. Something Putin would admire—with lots of gold. And even though it is supposed to be privately funded, who is making sure that tax payer dollars are not being used while private donations are going into bank accounts?
Totally understand where you’re coming from. When the symbolic heart of the country is being reshaped without transparency, it naturally raises suspicion, especially in an era where secrecy and spectacle often go hand in hand. I’m less focused on what might be under the surface and more on what’s happening above ground: the conversion of a civic institution into a personal brand stage. That transformation alone says a lot about where power lives now, and how little reverence is left for shared history, aesthetics, or democratic norms.
I think DT just feels really comfortable doing whatever he wants and this is just another phase of him showing off. He has said repeatedly that he can do whatever he wants. And then he does. He’s all surface and no substance. This actually seems like exactly what he would do. Do I like it? Nope. But we have greater concerns.
I do appreciate you attempting to bring a bit of historical reality. Our tendency is to blow up every time Trump breathes because he’s and this administration are definitely polluting every part of our government.
Thank you! This really gets at the nuance I was hoping to explore. You’re right: this kind of showy, surface-level move is exactly on-brand for him, and yes, there are far bigger emergencies unfolding. But it’s also why I wanted to step back and show how this fits a longer arc. Not to say “this is the worst thing ever,” but to ask what it means when power becomes all surface, and spectacle is the strategy.
And yes! Our constant state of alarm fatigue is part of the damage. It’s exhausting to stay alert when every move feels designed to bait outrage. I really appreciate you engaging with the piece and bringing that clarity.
This is a far, far cry from TR and his Bull Moose Politics
Now we are in the era of Queen Trump
Totally get the instinct, TR and Trump are wildly different figures in tone, policy, and political culture. But what interests me isn’t comparing personalities. It’s comparing how both used the symbolism of the presidency to reshape public expectations. TR embodied the rise of executive-centered nationalism; Trump embodies its full theatrical collapse. We’ve gone from Bull Moose to televised spectacle, but both moments tell us a lot about how American power reinvents itself.
Seems to me the TR construction was necessary. This ballroom isn’t. But… Nixon did put in a bowling alley. I don’t think he ruined any room(s) to do it tho.
It’s just a plain asshole move.
I grew up in Aspen during the 70s-80s. The influential parents of my time there ranged from John Denver to Hunter S. Thompson. Trying to find ways to inspire influencers of today by some of the originals…before the computer.
So, I have created this series of articles. I am calling it…”Voices of the past talking about the present, trying to inspire a better future” … be it Positive or Gonzo. It’s time that generations join together. This weekend so many cities showed the world they are united in support for…. No Kings! https://open.substack.com/pub/growingupaspen/p/ballrooms-and-broken-wallets?r=2g93c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I personally don't care about the white house... It's been burned down more than once and it's a symbol of oppression, greed, and opulance. I care that he isn't being held accountable for any of his wrong doings.
And when you have previously had a venue that could only accommodate 200 guests, those invitees will likely have had a chance to engage with each other and socialize; a kind of implied “intimacy” in the gathering. At an event hosting 900-1000 folks that former reality is probably lost to one of more showiness, etc. and perhaps people congregating and remaining in familiar groups.
Why aren't elected Ds out there in front of cameras as close as they can get to the building being destroyed!? Cable news has live shots they would split screen even if they’re in Lafayette Park.
https://mdavis19881.substack.com/p/trumps-shits-on-americans-then-demos
It seems to me it's just another way for him to give us the middle finger, emphasizing his expectations that he will spend the money we pay in taxes any way he wants. I'd bet any money that any donors to the ballroom will enjoy favors from Trump at taxpayers expense.
It does NOT feel normal!👹
As for his wife residing in that wing we all know they no longer live together, maybe subconsciously he is getting rid of any reminder of her. After all the man is crazy
Yes but that doesn’t make it right or was he creating a place for him to entertain his rich buddies, or without submitting the prober paper work or that he treated it like it was his house. Give trump time his golden name will be on the outside of the building.