Donald Trump on Tuesday, October 21, ignored criticism regarding the demolition of a part of the White House to build a grand ballroom, a project that is very dear to him and one of the largest projects of the famous building for more than a century.
Democrats accused the Republican of not respecting the presidential residence, after the publication of photographs showing excavators tearing off the facade of the east wing of the building, or “East Wing”, where the First Lady’s offices are traditionally located.
They also criticized him for launching this $250 million project on Monday, when the country remains in a situation of budgetary paralysis and Americans face a high cost of living.
“We are building a world-class ballroom,” the person said Tuesday during a lunch with Republican senators at the White House, with the whirring of machines in the background.
“You can probably hear the magnificent sound of the play behind. Do you hear that sound? Oh, it’s music to my ears. I love that sound,” Donald Trump added.
“It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”
The 79-year-old real estate magnate also assured that this project will not be financed with taxpayer money. “When I hear this noise it makes me think of money. In this case it rather makes me think of lack of money, because I am the one who pays,” he said.
The Republican billionaire previously explained that he would help fund the new ballroom with “generous patriots and big business.”
“It’s not his house. It’s his house. And he is destroying it,” denounced Democrat Hillary Clinton, who occupied the East Wing from 1993 to 2001, during the presidency of her husband, Bill Clinton.
Denouncing a “manufactured controversy,” the White House called the project “bold and necessary” and considered it to be “part of the long history of renovations and improvements” carried out by presidents.
Since his return to power, Donald Trump has worked to mold the White House in his image. The Oval Office, for example, was filled with gold decorations and two enormous American flags were planted on the lawn.
Source: BFM TV
