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Donald Trump has been busy transforming the White House, adding his personal flair to the historic residence. This week, he stirred up controversy by announcing plans to demolish the East Wing.
Captivating images reveal the extensive updates underway at Trump’s temporary abode. So far, the renovations have included the iconic Rose Garden, the Cabinet Room, and the Oval Office.
On October 20, Trump embarked on his most ambitious project yet, demolishing the East Wing to pave the way for a new, privately funded $250 million ballroom.
This decision has sparked criticism from historians and former White House staff, particularly after Trump had assured the public that the renovations wouldn’t alter the building’s original structure.
On Wednesday, the President defended his actions, stating that the East Wing was “never thought of as being much” and “was not particularly nice.”
Speaking to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, he added: ‘We determined that, after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, we determined that really knocking it down [was best].’
A review of the project has not been conducted, which is the most common practice for renovations to the historic home, according to the New York Times.
Trump showed Rutte displays, pictures, and drawings of his latest redesign as he highlighted some of its grandest features.
Donald Trump admitted on Wednesday in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he was tearing down the East Wing
Speaking about some of the images of the demolition, he said: ‘The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House. We don’t touch the White House.’Â
Trump added:Â ‘That’s the bridge, the last bridge, going from the White House to the ballroom. Then, you get into the lobby of the ballroom, and then you get into the magnificent, the main room, and it’s something that has gotten incredible reviews.’
The design of the ballroom – among other renovations – are similar to those found at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and his former hotel in Washington, DC.Â
‘Anytime Melania and Donald can make the White House feel more like Mar-a-Lago, they will. They love Mar-a-Lago. Not only is it their home, but Donald personally created much of the current decor and takes pride in living there and showing it to other people,’ a member of the exclusive club told People.
Trump’s seven main renovations so far:Â
Red Rose Garden paved over for Rose Garden ClubÂ
The recently installed Rose Garden Club reflects a beach-like pavilion with its bright umbrellas and all white seatingÂ
The Rose Garden was once a plot of grass that was framed with flowers.
Speaking about the space in an interview with The Spectator in February, Trump said: ‘You see the women? The grass was wet. Their heels are going through the grass, like, four inches deep.’
It was paved over for the President to host gatherings in a seemingly casual outdoor setting – complete with yellow and white striped umbrellas reminiscent of the Mar-a-Lago decor.Â
Trump made use of the space recently as he posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Â
He also held a ritzy lunch there for Republican senators. Guests supped on the President’s favorite drink, a Diet Coke, with cheeseburgers, served with French fries, followed by chocolates for dessert.
From 89-year-old East Wing to $250million ballroom
Construction crews began tearing down the East Wing this week to make way for the ballroom
The President seems to have spared no expense in building what he says will be a spectacle of a ballroom as the East Wing was bulldozed this week.
Trump, announcing the project earlier this year, had claimed: ‘It won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.’
The East Wing, which dated back to 1942, formerly housed the First Lady’s office and visitors’ center.
Many have opposed its destruction, including former Biden White House official Neera Tanden, who posted on X: ‘I genuinely think the images of them destroying the East Wing of the White House could be a game changer in the elections.’Â
The President is said to have disliked the look of the pop-up tents that were previously used to host state dinners on the South Lawn.Â
Trump pulled out the rug from underneath everyone
Trump changed the royal blue carpet of the Oval Office to a shade he seems to be fond ofÂ
Another decorative change included scrapping the former dark blue carpet in the Oval Office in favor of a beige, orangey color scheme.
The patriotic red, white, and blue seal on the floor was swapped for orange, gold and brown tones.
A whole new deal for the seal
The all-white seal was replaced with a design featuring gold embellishments
The seal on the ceiling of the Oval Office was previously a subtle marker that almost blended in with the rest of the white paint.Â
Now, with shining gold stars and a golden eagle in the center, it stands out from above, shining down on Trump and whoever visits the office.
Trump refreshes the Oval Office gallery wallÂ
The simple portraits with classic framing needed a touch-up in Trump’s eyes as he added many more presidents to the wall
Trump has upgraded the gallery from just a few portraits to almost a dozen.Â
The frames of the portraits are now accented with thick gold trim and elegant designs, opting for a gaudier, eye-catching appeal.
The President’s mantle changed as well, matching his pattern of adding gold to almost everything he replaced.
Sorry Obama, Trumps back in town
Trump got rid of the 44th president’s portrait and replaced it with one from the day he survived an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024
A White House tradition of hanging portraits of the two most recent presidents was somewhat broken after Trump replaced the picture of Obama.
Trump choose to go with a self-portrait action shot of when he threw his fist in the air after surviving an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 last year.
The Cabinet Room goes for gold
Trump switched out the brown curtain for golden shades and added gold decor on the walls
Trump got rid of the simple brown curtains and splashed some more gold in the Cabinet Room after adding fresh curtains and new wall decor.Â
The President has also put more flags in the room, including drapes for specific outposts of the military, as well as a few chandeliers. Â
He seems to have retained the rest of the color scheme of the space, which he uses for meetings with his staff as well as international leaders.
