The White House ballroom will never be built

[marmar]

The White House ballroom will never be built
Trump can't focus long enough, even on his $400 million passion project

By Amanda Marcotte
Senior Writer
Published December 19, 2025 6:30AM (EST)


(Salon) In October, Donald Trump traumatized all true patriots by tearing down the East Wing of the White House. The move, he claims, will clear the way for a ballroom for holding large events that are typically held in tents on the South Lawn. A debate immediately arose online over whether or not the next Democratic president should tear down the ballroom or keep it, albeit with the necessary extensive renovations to remove all the tackiness Trump brings to any project.

Two months later, it increasingly seems that such discussion was a wasted effort, as the chance this ballroom will actually be built is rapidly disappearing. Perhaps it could have if Trump had delegated the management of the project to someone competent, but that’s not what he did. Instead, the famously lazy and disorganized president decided to blow off his actual governance duties in favor of micromanaging a construction project he is incapable of handling. Finishing the ballroom in the next three years would be difficult for anyone, but it’s quickly becoming clear it will be nearly impossible for the famed real estate tycoon to pull it off.

The whole thing is a too-perfect symbol of Trump’s second administration: They are very good at breaking things, but they don’t know how to create anything of value.

....(snip)....

We have no reason to believe that his ballroom plans are any different: lots of talk with limited ability to deliver. Yet it does seem Trump has started to absorb the uncomfortable realization that he is a mortal human being. At nearly 80, he’s started to “joke” about his unlikelihood of getting into heaven. This might account for why he has grown so focused on redesigning the White House; he see it as a way to leave his mark so that people will remember him, no matter how much they wish not to, after he’s gone. ......................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/19/the-white-house-ballroom-will-never-be-built/

[SheltieLover]

1. Just another grift while destroying an important American landmark

I'm sure pootin is quite proud of krazov.

[Mister Ed]

9. Yes. It's not a building. It's a bribery scheme.

Donors who give generously to the "project" can expect favorable treatment form the the Trump (mal)administration.

The projected "cost" of the project goes up to match the donations as they come in. $250 million. No, wait, $300 million. No, $400 million. I doubt that donors will ever be told, "Thanks, but we've raised enough to cover the construction. No more donations needed."

[SheltieLover]

11. Absolutely!

[chouchou]

2. I like: "They (Republicans) are very good at breaking things, but they don't know how to create anything of value."

We Democrats have known that reality for many decades.
Way too many American citizens just-don't-get-it.

[Thomas Hurt]

3. Trump's malignant narcissism has driven him to these pathetic attempts...

to make monuments to himself as if he is a god king of some sort. In his on tacky, classless fashion of course.

The peace prize, the ballroom, the birthday parades. He thinks he is a king and is trying to make legacy like a pharaoh building his pyramid.

The arch he is promoting is another one of these self aggrandizing projects.

BTW, whatever happened to the legislation to put that pig on Mount Rushmore....

[sop]

4. Looks like Trump's "Repeal and Replace" bullshit doesn't only apply to the ACA and other programs and agencies.

[John1956PA]

6. Off point, but does anyone know where the doomsday bunker is located?

There is a War Room located at some depth below the West Wing. I doubt that it would be feasible to construct a similar type bunker beneath the grounds to the east or to the south of the White House. Perhaps there is such a facility at Camp David. Of course, Air Force One is outfitted with command capability.

[Irish_Dem]

7. He'd rather put all the money in his pocket?

[usonian]

8. Destructive people be destructive.

There will be a suitable memorial for Trump. It already exists.

[C_U_L8R]

10. Trump's monument to himself

might just be a big ugly hole in the ground.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. We lost the East Wing of the White House for nothing

[FakeNoose]

13. Maybe he planned all along to grift the money and leave the country?

I'd be fine with that. Let him steal $400 million, then he resigns, and disappears. We're done!
It's a win-win.

[Intractable]

14. He continues to mentally and physically decline. By the time the thing could be built, he'll be too feeble to enjoy it.