Republicans Recoil: Trump’s East Wing Turmoil Sparks Party-Wide Dismay

A recent survey indicates a significant number of Republicans feel uneasy about Donald Trump’s latest renovations to the White House, with only 45 percent in favor of his plan to tear down parts of the East Wing.

Within the Republican respondents, 28 percent expressed disapproval, while 27 percent were uncertain about supporting the dramatic transformation that has stirred Washington.

Findings from a YouGov America poll show that merely 33 percent of American adults endorse the ballroom initiative, and a mere 24 percent are in favor of the East Wing’s destruction.

However, a notable 63 percent of Republicans stand behind the comprehensive renovation efforts, according to the survey.

On Wednesday, Trump defended his choice to dismantle the East Wing, asserting that to execute the renovations correctly, the existing structure needed to be removed as it had never impressed him.

At first, the ballroom structure was only going to impact a part of the building, but the president then updated the public saying conversations with architects are what led up to the decision to knock down the entire East Wing.

Initially, Trump had insisted that the 83-year-old structure would remain untouched during the construction of the then $250 million privately funded ballroom.

The White House responded to a reporter Thursday during the White House briefing, saying that the President has released the list of donors and will soon release the amount that each donor is paying into the project, as well as his own funds. 

‘There will be a big beautiful ballroom that will hold many galas and notable dignitaries and leaders for years to come,’ Leavitt said. 

However, when photos emerged Monday showing a backhoe tearing into the historic building’s walls, concerns quickly mounted.

Asked why the demolition was necessary during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump replied, ‘It was never thought of as being much.’

He added that the second-story addition, built to house the first lady’s offices, ‘was not particularly nice.’

‘After extensive study with some of the world’s top architects, we decided that tearing it down—while preserving a small section—was the best option,’ he said.

Trump plans to pay for the renovations himself, with donors help.  

Overall, 33% of US adults approve of the ballroom project and 24% support the East Wing demolition, according to a YouGov America Oct. 21 survey of over 2,000 adults.

A majority – 63 percent – back his more general renovations.

The survey, conducted just one day after work began on the $300 million ballroom, saw a wave of backlash from both sides—especially from Democrats who flooded social media with images accusing the president of ‘destroying’ the White House.

According to the poll, 77% of Democrats disapprove not only of the renovation plans but also of the demolition required to make way for the new additions.

Independents tend to side more with Democrats on the matter, with a majority opposing both the renovations and the plan to demolish sections of the East Wing to accommodate the new additions—disapproval stands at 55% and 54%, respectively.

On Wednesday, Trump defended the decision to demolish the East Wing, insisting that ‘to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,’ and that it ‘never impressed him.’

At first, the ballroom structure was only going to impact a part of the building, but the president then updated the public saying conversations with architects are what led up to the decision to knock down the entire East Wing.

When pressed about criticisms over a lack of transparency regarding the complete demolition, Trump pushed back sharply.

‘I haven’t been transparent about this? Really? I’ve shown this to everybody who would listen,’ he said. ‘Third-rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look. You’re a third-rate reporter.’

Of the 47 presidents so far that have passed through the oval office, many have made changes, although not quite on this scale. Presidents have added their own furniture and decorations, heated swimming pools and even recreational constructs like a bowling alley. 

Critics say the President is turning the People’s house into his own ‘Mar-a-Lago.’

A number of former staffers of Republican First Lady Pat Nixon have written to the National Capital Planning Commission to try and get the project stopped, according the East Wing Magazine.