Donald Trump fuels heated debate with $200m White House renovation reveal as people ask one question
A furious debate has been ignited online after Donald Trump announced his latest renovation plans - and not everyone is impressed.
For those who missed the big reveal, the US President shared yesterday (31 July) that the White House will be getting a whopping $200m (£151m) new ballroom.
Announcing the news on social media, the POTUS’ official accounts shared the message: “BREAKING: We're getting an expansion! For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed.
It continued: “President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people.
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"The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance."
The brand new White House State Ballroom has been described as a ‘much-needed' and ‘exquisite’ addition, boasting 90,000 total square feet and the capacity to seat 650 people.
Usually, functions at the White House are held in the East Room, which can seat approximately 200 people, so this will be a big change.
And an upgraded ballroom is something Trump has been very vocal about before, with the BBC reporting that he'd previously offered $100 million in 2016 during Barack Obama's presidency for a big 'beautiful' ballroom - something which the then-President declined.
But of course, like with any new project, the big question that’s on everyone's minds is who is going to pay for it? Well, the official White House website states that ‘President Trump and other patriot donors have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build it'.
While it’s not been revealed who these mystery donors are, it seems that Trump is forking money out from his own pocket to get his ballroom, however, some people aren’t so convinced.
One X (formerly Twitter) user said: “Trump is personally paying for it. Translation: the American people are paying for it, either from our taxes or from donations. Donald Trump doesn't pay for anything.”
Another joked: "And Trump is PERSONALLY paying for it. HAHAHHAHAHAA Riiiiiight.”
Meanwhile, others criticised the use of the money, believing that it should have gone to a more worthy cause elsewhere, as someone wrote: “The Trump administration just announced they will be building a massive $200 million gold-plated ballroom at the White House after signing a law cutting 17 million Americans’ health care.”
While a second said: “Are you ok with Trump spending $200,000,000.00 on a Gold- plated Ballroom at the White House while also cutting school meals for millions of needy children and Medicaid for millions of poor Americans?”
However, some have also rushed to Trump's defence.
Someone wrote: “HOLY CRAP! The new ballroom Trump is building in the White House is INCREDIBLE. The current East Room holds 200 people, but this one will hold 650.
“And Trump is PERSONALLY paying for it. Definitely making the White House Great Again!”
Another chimed in with: “Trump is personally paying for it?!!!! No way Really?!!!! Trump is such an amazing dude. This blows my mind man.”
While a third agreed: “Yup! This is not funded by the taxpayers.”
The White House declined to comment when approached by Tyla.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Social Media
Madison Burgess