Despite a lack of the legally required planning permits, and despite an ongoing government shutdown meaning that there shouldn’t have been the money to pay for it, construction of the new White House state ballroom began with the demolition of the existing East Wing of the building. President Trump insisted that the state ballroom was necessary because the current facilities weren’t impressive enough, but it’s widely believed that the ballroom is simply a monument to his fragile ego.
When completed, the new East Wing will be considerably larger than the West Wing, throwing off the elegant symmetry of the White House’s architecture. Given Trump’s idea of tasteful decor, the inside of it will no doubt feature immense quantities of gold leaf. And if past conduct is any guide, he’ll his best to stiff the contractors for the bills.
