Featured Image Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / Contributor / Getty Images
Topics: Barack Obama, Politics, US News, News, Donald Trump, Money
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Barack Obama, Politics, US News, News, Donald Trump, Money
United States President Donald Trump’s $300,000,000 White House revamp has sparked fury online.
The outrage dates back a few months now, with things first kicking off in the summertime (31 July) when Trump's team first announced the renovations as part of his nine-figure plan to restore the White House, which included the controversial decision to adorn several sections of his residence in gold. Many have since branded the move as utterly 'tacky'.
In the announcement, the administration shared that a staggering $200 million (£150m) would be plied into the construction of a brand new ballroom.
Seemingly, the subsequent backlash was twofold: some critics feared that the elaborate renovations formed part of Trump's plan to remain in the Oval Office for a third term, while others were astounded by the way that the money was being spent, especially after the US government shut down at the start of this month (1 October).
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Such backlash has only grown after Trump recently revealed that it would actually cost $300 million, a staggering $100 million more than originally forecasted.
Following the backlash, the White House issued a 'fact sheet' to the press, which echoes many of its countless previous jabs against what the institution dubs 'unhinged leftists' and 'Fake News'.
"In the latest instance of manufactured outrage, unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House - a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence as a beacon of American excellence," it reads.
The release continues by listing other moments in US history when presidents have made updates to the White House, saying Trump is 'carrying forward that legacy'.
However, according to Ed Lengel, a historian at the White House Historical Association, the White House has seen many renovations over the years, but none as extensive as Trump’s current project.
"There’s never been anything like that [Trump's ballroom renovation] before. And I think I can say that with total confidence. There’s been nothing on that scale, even close to that scale, that has ever been done before," the expert told The Hill.
Indeed, prior changes were a bit more subtle. In 2009, then-President Barack Obama transformed the White House tennis court into a basketball court, with the renovation including redrawing the lines and adding basketball hoops, so the space could serve both purposes, per Market Realist.
However, information about the exact cost and details of the hoops added is limited, but given the minor scope of the work, the cost was likely minimal compared to Trump’s multi-million-dollar ballroom.
Additionally, the First Lady at the time, Michelle, also established the White House Kitchen Garden to promote healthy eating and living among children. The 2,800-square-foot garden featured fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and according to Business Insider, it produces about 2,000 pounds of food for the White House each year.
Now, when a new president moves into the White House, they are allotted $100,000 to renovate and redecorate their private quarters and the Oval Office. However, upon taking office in 2009, the Obamas declined to use taxpayer funds or accept donations for their decorating, according to New York Magazine.
Because they paid for it themselves, the White House did not disclose the renovation budget.
According to a White House Office of Management and Budget memo, the ballroom's construction is being privately funded by Trump and other private donors, meaning it is not impacted by the federal budget negotiations that brought about the shutdown, reports PEOPLE.