In a bold move that has drawn both praise and criticism, President Donald Trump has announced that major corporations including Amazon, Apple, and Google, along with other tech firms, defense contractors, and individual donors, are contributing to the construction of a grand 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House.
The project, which was initially estimated to cost around $200 million, has seen its budget rise to an estimated $300 million due to unforeseen costs and the need for more extensive structural work and higher-end materials.
According to One America News, the project's cost has been a point of contention since its announcement on July 31st. Initially, White House officials cited a figure of $200 million, which included a contract awarded to a consortium led by Clark Construction. However, by mid-September, the estimate had risen to $250 million.
Trump acknowledged the increase, describing the project as "expensive" but assuring reporters that it would be fully funded by private contributions. During a recent Oval Office discussion, Trump further revised the total cost to "about $300 million."
The President defended the cost increase by presenting renderings of the proposed ballroom and reiterating that the expense would not be borne by "the country" or U.S. taxpayers. Instead, he and the aforementioned donors will be footing the bill. The White House complex, which includes the Executive Residence, the West Wing, and the East Wing, has already seen the commencement of the project with the demolition of the East Wing's faade to make way for the ballroom expansion.
However, the project has not been without its critics. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced her disapproval on social media, stating, "Its not his house. Its your house. And hes destroying it."
Yet, conservatives were quick to remind Clinton of the controversy surrounding her departure from the White House in 2001, when she and her husband admitted to "taking" about $190,000 in gifts, including furniture, silverware, and art. The Clintons later returned about $28,000 worth of items and paid for others, totaling around $86,000.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed his disapproval of the project, equating the demolition of the White House to the destruction of the Constitution. However, his criticism was met with reminders of his own renovation efforts in California.
Unlike the privately funded White House project, California's state Capitol complex renovation in Sacramento, costing between $1.2 billion and $1.6 billion, will be fully funded by U.S. taxpayers. Additionally, Californians pointed out that nine months after a devastating wildfire, the Palisades remain unrestored.
The White House confirmed the list of donors to The Hill, demonstrating the broad support for the project from major corporations and individuals. As the project moves forward, it serves as a reminder of the power of private funding and the potential for grand architectural endeavors, even amidst criticism and controversy.
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