We the People don’t want a golden ballroom, we want universal healthcare, income equality and women’s bodily autonomy. It’s bad enough that he has turned the Oval Office into a bordello anteroom. A 90,000 square foot room replacing part of the People’s House is an affront to our sensibilities.
Mr. Beschloss, your words perfectly describe the American dilemma. Submission or revolution? As the Robber Baron Republicans work to further destroy fair representation in voting districts, Americans have only one choice left to them, it seems to me. Get every anti-Project 2025 voter out to the polls in 2026 and 2028. Unseat every Representative and every Senator who has gone along with this plot. Obviously, unseat Trump & Co. Then, we can begin to deconstruct the horror that these sub-humans are imposing on America.
I think that assuming there will be fair elections in 2026 and 2028---or even ANY elections---is a mistake. It greatly worries me that so many people think that all we have to do is wait until November, 2026, and THEN we'll show 'em! Considering what's happened in the last six months, we won't have a prayer by this time next year, if people are holding out for elections.
What exactly are you proposing we do, Denise? Be realistic. I was at a town hall in early May with Adam Kinzinger, who now lives in suburban Houston, and he had words of wisdom. He announced to the crowd that there is not one goddamned thing we can actually DO between now and the 2026 midterms, except plan and organize and protest. He said we needed to just get used to that fact and focus our energy in a productive direction. So, again Denise, what exactly do you propose we can actually DO right now? I’m all ears.
Planning and organizing and protesting ARE actions. They ARE doing something. Meanwhile, Dems in the House and Senate need to deploy every procedural roadblock at their disposal, refuse to vote "yea" on anything, and be LOUD in their condemnation of everything the Rs do, every. single. day, with multiple voices. So far, the Dems have done none of the above.
Allow me to tweak and fine tune a bit. What Adam Kinzinger meant was that we cannot CHANGE this political hell we are in between now and November 2026. We are in the minority all the way around. WE HAVE ZERO POWER. If we don’t take at least the House back then, we are stuck right where we are now. At the risk of repeating myself, be realistic.
I think part of the issue is we elected them to carry out our wishes. Now we are flipping it & want them to lead us- but as you point out voters gave away the tools. The dissatisfied public needs to be creative. Put pressure on state officials over what’s coming to their budgets. Are they willing to step out of their comfort zone? Network? Rolling strikes & days of action?
Thune is again talking about the ‘nuclear option’ to end delays (which are political theater in reality) in Sept because Donnie is impatient.
I see some creative things. Dems from safer districts going to GOP districts for town halls. It forced the GOP to tell members to get out & sell the Big Ugly Bill. Independents were behind Donnie in January. That’s down 17% - more than enough to decide an election. All this is why the GOP wants bigger gerrymandering now. (The Senate can’t be gerrymandered.)
The economy may soon remove any residual wish casting as people feel what was behind those jobs numbers. Companies like Ford can’t “eat” the tariffs forever. (Ford profits are down 1/3 from last yr). UPS is laying off, ‘realigning’, automating & closing facilities. “In 2024 there were a total of 761K announced layoffs. In just the first 6 months of 2025 there have already been 744K announced layoffs. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-top-u-s-industries-for-layoffs-in-2025/
ACA health insurance premiums are expected to jump in January. A 75% increase may be “typical.” 24M people enrolled this yr. Close to the elections a reminder that Medicaid changes begin in December of 2026 would be in order.
I think we should get serious about national strikes. Those of us who are retired can support them by helping with the organizing or getting the word out.
One day won’t do it. We could begin with rolling strikes like SEIU and the UAW use. They are effective by being unpredictable, disruptive & they get attention — more affordable for working people. Easier to afford community support those who need it. All in on one day to start has sunk some movements.
That's my concern exactly. We the People don't have to tolerate all this fuckery!! So WHY are we??! And when will the REAL government PLEASE STAND UP??!!
I have responded to you before Steven so forgive the repetition. I am 76, a recent kidney transplant patient. My daughter was my living donor and I am so thankful. My 40 year old son lives with me and his mental health is a huge challenge. Especially because he denies he has a problem. He is on medicaid in MN but I doubt he will keep his coverage once the changes take place. I live on a small pension from the County where I worked and a small social security check. I am lucky to have a friend who gives me $500 a month to help me make ends meet. The fact that Trump is so divorced from reality, self centered, and unable to lead scares me to death
His gold fetish is disgusting and only makes him look foolish. Now he will disfigure our beloved White House as his legacy? My future and the futures of my children and those of all Americans is at risk and it breaks my heart.
Congratulations on your successful transplant, Mary, and bless your friend and your daughter. They have kept you in “the fight”. We all have difficulties in some of our family relationships, unfortunately. It’s good to adopt the mantra of “Keep Moving” and I think you’re doing that. My very best to you. 🕊️
I feel that we Americans are so siloed, socioeconomically, educationally, geographically, but also in the issues, news, and information we are exposed to or choose to be exposed to. It would take a massive financial, national security, or health disruption to get us all to pay attention to the same thing. Then, it would take some clear messaging to convince people to not scapegoat the nearest target. I’d like to be more optimistic, but I think most people are in a state of self-satisfied complacency, oblivious to others. Frog, meet pot.
Well said! I hear from people that protests do nothing and Democrats aren’t doing enough to twist arms in the Republican Congress. Everyone has opinions on what needs to be done, but the most popular one is that it’s someone else’s job.
Adrienne, Great comment! At the accelerated rate of decay…in six months…the America we knew and so many fought for will only be a memory. I’m afraid your closing will be lost on the majority! Incidentally, wasn’t the French Revolution brought about by decadence and the opulence of the French Monarchy? Perhaps we should begin to construct high volume Guillotines? Pardon…did I say “Revolution”??
This reminds me of two old bromides. One is that in most instances, as we age we realize how less is more, a realization that makes us stop seeking more material wealth and focusing on the important things in life, primarily family and friends. Obviously, TACO has yet to come to that realization. The other is more in the form of a joke: With age comes wisdom (but sometimes age travels alone). That is truly applicable to our unbeloved national disgrace.
The golden calf story offers a lesson for understanding Trump’s support: it's a warning against misdirected worship. When people feel abandoned or lost, they may turn to false idols—whether they are charismatic leaders, empty promises, or symbols of wealth—instead of the true principles they claim to stand for or values they believe in.
Every single day of this presidency inflicts a grievous moral injury on all decent Americans— and this grotesque ballroom will be an aesthetic and architectural injury. Why doesn’t Trump have to get permission before he builds something like this? Don’t we the people get a say?? it’s not HIS house! It belongs to America!! I didn’t know it was twice the size of our beautiful White House. What a desecration. The founders would be vomiting.
Surely you jest, Pearson. Rump needed to get permission before almost all the actions he's taken thus far, but he hasn't hesitated for one second to do any of it. Has he been stopped or held to account, at ALL? So here we are.
Btw, grotesque as it is, the proposed new ballroom is not twice the size of the entire White House.
"The Ground Floor, State Floor, and residence floors of the White House are approximately 55,000 square feet. This number does not include the West or East Wings."
Because you’ve not explained your thinking, I’m going to guess.
The article is entitled: “Trump Is Building a 90,000-Square-Foot Ballroom on Top of the East Wing — Almost Double the Size of the Actual White House”.
You are likely including the ‘wings’ which are not considered part of the Executive Residence. They house offices and other spaces. Therefore the phrase “Actual White House.”
I consider the "actual White House" to be the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, with which we're all familiar. It includes the offices, the Presidential residence, the dining areas, galleries, the wings, and so on. ALL the space. According to the initial report I read, mango man's proposed grotesquerie is almost twice as big as the central portion of the building, NOT including the wings, which, to me, means the addition will not be twice as big as the entire White House.
But it's too trivial a detail to spend time on, IMO. We have no idea whether the foundation will even be laid out before the one cheeseburger too many kicks in. Or indeed, whether the blueprints will even be drawn up. At the rate at which he spews nonsense, he may have forgotten about it by next week. Or it's yet another distraction.
Uh huh. The central portion is known as the White House. But of course he is not comparing the size of his monstrosity to anything except the puny and insufficient East Wing. It began as a terrace I believe & wound up as cover for building the bunker shelter thing.
It would not surprise me at all if this was the cover story for another grift. Supposedly donations will cover it. Where those might come from or exactly where they might wind up is unknown. But we know chances are good we’ll be left with another mess.
Yes, and it's not his private building project, which will doubtless be over-budget, and might conceivably not be finished when he departs. Leaving us, as always, with a mess. I think this process needs to be tied up in 'bureaucracy,' which is how he handles the projects of others. Building permits, authorizations, plan reviews, etc. Time may be on our side.
Likely he will tear down the East Wing quickly so there will be no choice but to build. The East Wing holds the First Lady’s offices and Social Secretary (not being used much, given the absent First Lady) and other offices. Where will they be relocated — or will they? I’m just waiting for him to get rid of the antiques in the WH and replace them with gilded French reproductions.
If this huge monstrosity of a ballroom, a jet to renovate, unlimited golfing and many other ostentatious maneuvers for this selfish, lying, oligarch don't move us, the majority of us, what will? What's the tipping point? I just don't know.
Congress, as toady-ish as they are, need to give permission to make changes to the White House. I don't hold out hope that they will stop him, but they have the power
The most serious damage is being done in Trump's name, but rarely by Trump himself. He doesn't know enough about how the executive branch works to really screw it up. So he keeps himself busy with stupid plans for grand ballrooms.
I/we will need a larger poster to add this demand to all the others with our HOLD TRUMP ACCOUNTABLE messages.
I suspect, even trying to prioritize the demands into the most critical will be met by divisiveness— especially because we are bombarded with new “commandments” daily.
Everything Trump does is a distraction, created by Stephen Miller, to hide what is going on: the erosion of individual rights and the trampling of the First Amendment. Trump is clearly in the first or second stage of dementia, which isn't surprising, given his diet and his genes. He cares only about himself, as do all bullies. But the people running him are just forking forkers. Until Faux News shows "the base" what Trump is doing, his adoring fans won't believe anything horrific about him, sadly. I hope I'm wrong.
The rendering of the big balls room shows clear space. I’m a commercial builder. You can’t clear span this no matter which way you design it. It will need substantial column lines. It will look like a forest with no clear sight lines. Anyone disagree?
Supposedly donations will fund it. I can’t imagine it would only be $200M given the size and the demolition. Is he actually going to construct it? I wonder if it is another grift / extortion scheme and create a giant mess.
I finally got around to reading the news today. NYT has an article on the monstrosity.
Apparently the property is exempt from preservation laws and the folks who decide are mostly appointed by the pres. He hasn’t made most of the appointments that would sit on his board including the Park Service Director position which oversees the grounds.
I’m thinking there will be not only a sightline issue but the $200M is likely lower than lowball; the timeline way beyond his tenure.
— Mr. Jarvis, who was the director of the National Park Service from 2009 to 2017, said construction at the White House is a “complicated process” because it is “not just normal construction.
“It’s the White House — it has to survive a terrorist attack,” he said. He added that every step of the process would need to be evaluated to ensure that nothing “is being compromised architecturally or from a security standpoint.” — NYT, Experts Raise Concerns Over Trump’s White House Ballroom Renovation Plans
The pursuit of happiness, for many, is the worship of self-interest. Perhaps this time we’re in will inspire a Declaration of Interdependence, recognizing that our contribution to others is the true source of happiness. For now, though, we see how Trump’s expressions of idolatry reflect the belief by millions that self-interest is paramount, and that “others” are responsible for thwarting the self-interest that brings happiness. A fixation on self-interest encases one in a mixture of fear leading to anger and becoming hate, ultimately manifesting as malevolence. The Republican Party has for decades successfully celebrated malevolence, which denigrates, obscures and erodes shared values. A recent multi-year study in the Journal of Research in Personality examined whether certain personality traits—those associated with callousness, manipulation, and even enjoyment of others’ suffering—correlate with conservative ideology and support for Trump. The findings are striking: people who view Trump favorably are more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits and lower on empathy and compassion. The binding forces of shared values are empathy, compassion, and benevolence. When half the population believes these forces to be weakness, shared values become more entropic and confidence erodes. One might say that the wages of idolatry is malevolence. Any cure requires a deep understanding of the disease. In recasting its tarnished image, the Democratic Party must learn to shift from treating symptoms to understanding the cause of what ails us.
Very insightful remarks. Seems to me that the golden calf occupying the highest office in the land is a reflection of the overall values of the people. We are a greedy and selfish people. We are going to all have to examine our values and construct a new country based on shared values and humanity. Not gonna lie, there will be a good deal of pain and soul searching required, but I have hope because I believe that the majority of us are capable of decency. It starts in individual hearts and minds.
To me, it says that this is *his* domaine. He is not leaving. Whether his family will inherit his position and grandeur or the position will pass to some other like-minded despot remains to be seen.
Exactly. Why would Trump make plans to build this ridiculous, gaudy, gilded monstrosity as a tribute, a gift to himself when it might not even be finished before his term expires, which then begs the questions: will he simply refuse to leave? Will he change the law that would allow him to run or appoint his successor, or the length of presidential terms? He’s like a dog, pissing in all the corners, claiming the space as his own.
At the end of 2020, after he lost re-election, he said multiple times that he should have simply refused to leave the WH. But staff members persuaded him otherwise.
It would require the passage of a Constitutional amendment for him to legally run again. But if he makes it to 2028, I doubt there will even be a question of elections.
That said, I can't believe he'll still be in office in 2028. I think the cheeseburgers---or something---will get him long before then.
Yes, his health is a serious issue and he could drop dead long before his term ends. Like tomorrow? Works for me!
Right now he’s been given broad immunity by SCOTUS and he’s taking full advantage of it. He declared a state of emergency several times which also gives him broad authority. And he’s essentially running the country on EOs.
Trump is not asking for permission from congress to do ANYTHING. He’s simply doing whatever he wants because he has the backing of both chambers and no one is stopping him. So can he get Congressional support to alter election rules and POTUS terms? Who knows.
But he’s clearly desperate now because of the Epstein files. And he’s desperate to regain control of the media cycle. So he just sent nuclear subs closer to Russia, which is an extremely bold move.
He’s also threatening to arrest Obama and Clinton for treason.
We appear to have finally gotten the "government we deserve." Honestly, the abject stupidity and ignorance of the average American is appalling. We have crafted a social crucible that produces gullible credulous citizens with great efficiency. I don't know how we fix that. But fix that we must.
We the People don’t want a golden ballroom, we want universal healthcare, income equality and women’s bodily autonomy. It’s bad enough that he has turned the Oval Office into a bordello anteroom. A 90,000 square foot room replacing part of the People’s House is an affront to our sensibilities.
Bordello anteroom. Perfect description. But..no surprise, right?
No surprise at all. If you have seen photos of his NYC apartment, you know how gaudy and tacky he likes his surroundings to be.
PRE-GUILLOTINE DECOR
We can only hope.
🙏
Mr. Beschloss, your words perfectly describe the American dilemma. Submission or revolution? As the Robber Baron Republicans work to further destroy fair representation in voting districts, Americans have only one choice left to them, it seems to me. Get every anti-Project 2025 voter out to the polls in 2026 and 2028. Unseat every Representative and every Senator who has gone along with this plot. Obviously, unseat Trump & Co. Then, we can begin to deconstruct the horror that these sub-humans are imposing on America.
I think that assuming there will be fair elections in 2026 and 2028---or even ANY elections---is a mistake. It greatly worries me that so many people think that all we have to do is wait until November, 2026, and THEN we'll show 'em! Considering what's happened in the last six months, we won't have a prayer by this time next year, if people are holding out for elections.
We should never wait for elections. We should prepare for elections.
Someone needs to get that across to the DNC....
What exactly are you proposing we do, Denise? Be realistic. I was at a town hall in early May with Adam Kinzinger, who now lives in suburban Houston, and he had words of wisdom. He announced to the crowd that there is not one goddamned thing we can actually DO between now and the 2026 midterms, except plan and organize and protest. He said we needed to just get used to that fact and focus our energy in a productive direction. So, again Denise, what exactly do you propose we can actually DO right now? I’m all ears.
Planning and organizing and protesting ARE actions. They ARE doing something. Meanwhile, Dems in the House and Senate need to deploy every procedural roadblock at their disposal, refuse to vote "yea" on anything, and be LOUD in their condemnation of everything the Rs do, every. single. day, with multiple voices. So far, the Dems have done none of the above.
Allow me to tweak and fine tune a bit. What Adam Kinzinger meant was that we cannot CHANGE this political hell we are in between now and November 2026. We are in the minority all the way around. WE HAVE ZERO POWER. If we don’t take at least the House back then, we are stuck right where we are now. At the risk of repeating myself, be realistic.
I think part of the issue is we elected them to carry out our wishes. Now we are flipping it & want them to lead us- but as you point out voters gave away the tools. The dissatisfied public needs to be creative. Put pressure on state officials over what’s coming to their budgets. Are they willing to step out of their comfort zone? Network? Rolling strikes & days of action?
Thune is again talking about the ‘nuclear option’ to end delays (which are political theater in reality) in Sept because Donnie is impatient.
I see some creative things. Dems from safer districts going to GOP districts for town halls. It forced the GOP to tell members to get out & sell the Big Ugly Bill. Independents were behind Donnie in January. That’s down 17% - more than enough to decide an election. All this is why the GOP wants bigger gerrymandering now. (The Senate can’t be gerrymandered.)
The economy may soon remove any residual wish casting as people feel what was behind those jobs numbers. Companies like Ford can’t “eat” the tariffs forever. (Ford profits are down 1/3 from last yr). UPS is laying off, ‘realigning’, automating & closing facilities. “In 2024 there were a total of 761K announced layoffs. In just the first 6 months of 2025 there have already been 744K announced layoffs. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-top-u-s-industries-for-layoffs-in-2025/
ACA health insurance premiums are expected to jump in January. A 75% increase may be “typical.” 24M people enrolled this yr. Close to the elections a reminder that Medicaid changes begin in December of 2026 would be in order.
Otherwise, I’m out of ideas.
Sorry, I understand where you are coming from, but this lengthy essay in no way responds to my comment.
Professor Noam Chomsky's UC Berkeley counterpart is George Lakoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psebm9RJDvU&t=4941s
Documentary explains government fraud: We've been brainwashed to AVOID CHECKS AND BALANCES (namely suing to stop government fraud.)
Lakoff's :"...that's got to get out there.... " ...IT HASN'T!!!
America's emotional immaturity and anti science STUBBORNNESS... feeds Fascism?
Do NOT subscribe Unless you agree to join our Focus Group
And we also want Jaqueline Kennedy’s Rose Garden restored.
I agree!
But not by Melania. Her taste is as horrific as Donny Two-face's is. Remember her red Christmas display?
It doesn't seem to matter that I don't tolerate any of this. Nothing is stopping this man. Those who could won't.
No one cares what we citizens care, do they?
nope. And I can't advocate for violence. I just want every republican to lose their next race.
Ditto, but unfortunately Supreme Court justices don't have to run for re-election.
Dems need to expand the court and institute term limits....if they get n power again.
The biggest IF in our country’s history, Anne.
I think we should get serious about national strikes. Those of us who are retired can support them by helping with the organizing or getting the word out.
One day won’t do it. We could begin with rolling strikes like SEIU and the UAW use. They are effective by being unpredictable, disruptive & they get attention — more affordable for working people. Easier to afford community support those who need it. All in on one day to start has sunk some movements.
At the very least….
It seems as if the only ones who could stop him are his rich donors, and I agree that they won't. They know how to make money from his cruelty.
That's my concern exactly. We the People don't have to tolerate all this fuckery!! So WHY are we??! And when will the REAL government PLEASE STAND UP??!!
I have responded to you before Steven so forgive the repetition. I am 76, a recent kidney transplant patient. My daughter was my living donor and I am so thankful. My 40 year old son lives with me and his mental health is a huge challenge. Especially because he denies he has a problem. He is on medicaid in MN but I doubt he will keep his coverage once the changes take place. I live on a small pension from the County where I worked and a small social security check. I am lucky to have a friend who gives me $500 a month to help me make ends meet. The fact that Trump is so divorced from reality, self centered, and unable to lead scares me to death
His gold fetish is disgusting and only makes him look foolish. Now he will disfigure our beloved White House as his legacy? My future and the futures of my children and those of all Americans is at risk and it breaks my heart.
Congratulations on your successful transplant, Mary, and bless your friend and your daughter. They have kept you in “the fight”. We all have difficulties in some of our family relationships, unfortunately. It’s good to adopt the mantra of “Keep Moving” and I think you’re doing that. My very best to you. 🕊️
I am happy your transplant went well. Facing health issues is hard. Hopefully, there are community supports for you. Seek them out.
I feel that we Americans are so siloed, socioeconomically, educationally, geographically, but also in the issues, news, and information we are exposed to or choose to be exposed to. It would take a massive financial, national security, or health disruption to get us all to pay attention to the same thing. Then, it would take some clear messaging to convince people to not scapegoat the nearest target. I’d like to be more optimistic, but I think most people are in a state of self-satisfied complacency, oblivious to others. Frog, meet pot.
Well said! I hear from people that protests do nothing and Democrats aren’t doing enough to twist arms in the Republican Congress. Everyone has opinions on what needs to be done, but the most popular one is that it’s someone else’s job.
I hear a lot of that but not on what needs to be done now.
Adrienne, Great comment! At the accelerated rate of decay…in six months…the America we knew and so many fought for will only be a memory. I’m afraid your closing will be lost on the majority! Incidentally, wasn’t the French Revolution brought about by decadence and the opulence of the French Monarchy? Perhaps we should begin to construct high volume Guillotines? Pardon…did I say “Revolution”??
This reminds me of two old bromides. One is that in most instances, as we age we realize how less is more, a realization that makes us stop seeking more material wealth and focusing on the important things in life, primarily family and friends. Obviously, TACO has yet to come to that realization. The other is more in the form of a joke: With age comes wisdom (but sometimes age travels alone). That is truly applicable to our unbeloved national disgrace.
I need a frigging bromide!
The golden calf story offers a lesson for understanding Trump’s support: it's a warning against misdirected worship. When people feel abandoned or lost, they may turn to false idols—whether they are charismatic leaders, empty promises, or symbols of wealth—instead of the true principles they claim to stand for or values they believe in.
Well said, Ralph!
Agreed!
Every single day of this presidency inflicts a grievous moral injury on all decent Americans— and this grotesque ballroom will be an aesthetic and architectural injury. Why doesn’t Trump have to get permission before he builds something like this? Don’t we the people get a say?? it’s not HIS house! It belongs to America!! I didn’t know it was twice the size of our beautiful White House. What a desecration. The founders would be vomiting.
Surely you jest, Pearson. Rump needed to get permission before almost all the actions he's taken thus far, but he hasn't hesitated for one second to do any of it. Has he been stopped or held to account, at ALL? So here we are.
Btw, grotesque as it is, the proposed new ballroom is not twice the size of the entire White House.
Almost.
The proposed ‘ballroom’ is 90,000 sq ft. The White House is about 55,000 sq ft.
It will replace the East Wing - dwarf it actually.
https://people.com/trump-building-90000-sq-ft-ballroom-larger-than-white-house-11783531
"The Ground Floor, State Floor, and residence floors of the White House are approximately 55,000 square feet. This number does not include the West or East Wings."
Because you’ve not explained your thinking, I’m going to guess.
The article is entitled: “Trump Is Building a 90,000-Square-Foot Ballroom on Top of the East Wing — Almost Double the Size of the Actual White House”.
You are likely including the ‘wings’ which are not considered part of the Executive Residence. They house offices and other spaces. Therefore the phrase “Actual White House.”
•https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/1dji4r8/a_cool_guide_to_the_white_houses_floor_plan/#lightbox
I consider the "actual White House" to be the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, with which we're all familiar. It includes the offices, the Presidential residence, the dining areas, galleries, the wings, and so on. ALL the space. According to the initial report I read, mango man's proposed grotesquerie is almost twice as big as the central portion of the building, NOT including the wings, which, to me, means the addition will not be twice as big as the entire White House.
But it's too trivial a detail to spend time on, IMO. We have no idea whether the foundation will even be laid out before the one cheeseburger too many kicks in. Or indeed, whether the blueprints will even be drawn up. At the rate at which he spews nonsense, he may have forgotten about it by next week. Or it's yet another distraction.
Uh huh. The central portion is known as the White House. But of course he is not comparing the size of his monstrosity to anything except the puny and insufficient East Wing. It began as a terrace I believe & wound up as cover for building the bunker shelter thing.
It would not surprise me at all if this was the cover story for another grift. Supposedly donations will cover it. Where those might come from or exactly where they might wind up is unknown. But we know chances are good we’ll be left with another mess.
Isn’t there a Historic committee or such that needs to decide if adding such a building is even LEGAL? It IS the WHITE HOUSE….
Does anyone believe that Donald J. Trump gives a good goddamn what any "historic committee" decides?
Does anyone believe that ANYONE will stop him from this desecration?
Yes, and it's not his private building project, which will doubtless be over-budget, and might conceivably not be finished when he departs. Leaving us, as always, with a mess. I think this process needs to be tied up in 'bureaucracy,' which is how he handles the projects of others. Building permits, authorizations, plan reviews, etc. Time may be on our side.
The White House is, after all, HISTORIC SITE!!!
Likely he will tear down the East Wing quickly so there will be no choice but to build. The East Wing holds the First Lady’s offices and Social Secretary (not being used much, given the absent First Lady) and other offices. Where will they be relocated — or will they? I’m just waiting for him to get rid of the antiques in the WH and replace them with gilded French reproductions.
If this huge monstrosity of a ballroom, a jet to renovate, unlimited golfing and many other ostentatious maneuvers for this selfish, lying, oligarch don't move us, the majority of us, what will? What's the tipping point? I just don't know.
Congress, as toady-ish as they are, need to give permission to make changes to the White House. I don't hold out hope that they will stop him, but they have the power
Congress is just a swampy pond of TOADIES.
Which brings us back to Stephen's question: How much will we the people tolerate? Not just from Trump but from *all* our elected representatives.
Yes, but I really don't think he cares. SCOTUS gave him carte blanche. I don't know what atrocity he could commit before he is finally reigned in.
The most serious damage is being done in Trump's name, but rarely by Trump himself. He doesn't know enough about how the executive branch works to really screw it up. So he keeps himself busy with stupid plans for grand ballrooms.
Time for a major protest, "The People's House, not Trump's House"!
I/we will need a larger poster to add this demand to all the others with our HOLD TRUMP ACCOUNTABLE messages.
I suspect, even trying to prioritize the demands into the most critical will be met by divisiveness— especially because we are bombarded with new “commandments” daily.
Everything Trump does is a distraction, created by Stephen Miller, to hide what is going on: the erosion of individual rights and the trampling of the First Amendment. Trump is clearly in the first or second stage of dementia, which isn't surprising, given his diet and his genes. He cares only about himself, as do all bullies. But the people running him are just forking forkers. Until Faux News shows "the base" what Trump is doing, his adoring fans won't believe anything horrific about him, sadly. I hope I'm wrong.
The rendering of the big balls room shows clear space. I’m a commercial builder. You can’t clear span this no matter which way you design it. It will need substantial column lines. It will look like a forest with no clear sight lines. Anyone disagree?
This architect's daughter thinks you have a point!
Supposedly donations will fund it. I can’t imagine it would only be $200M given the size and the demolition. Is he actually going to construct it? I wonder if it is another grift / extortion scheme and create a giant mess.
I finally got around to reading the news today. NYT has an article on the monstrosity.
Apparently the property is exempt from preservation laws and the folks who decide are mostly appointed by the pres. He hasn’t made most of the appointments that would sit on his board including the Park Service Director position which oversees the grounds.
I’m thinking there will be not only a sightline issue but the $200M is likely lower than lowball; the timeline way beyond his tenure.
— Mr. Jarvis, who was the director of the National Park Service from 2009 to 2017, said construction at the White House is a “complicated process” because it is “not just normal construction.
“It’s the White House — it has to survive a terrorist attack,” he said. He added that every step of the process would need to be evaluated to ensure that nothing “is being compromised architecturally or from a security standpoint.” — NYT, Experts Raise Concerns Over Trump’s White House Ballroom Renovation Plans
The pursuit of happiness, for many, is the worship of self-interest. Perhaps this time we’re in will inspire a Declaration of Interdependence, recognizing that our contribution to others is the true source of happiness. For now, though, we see how Trump’s expressions of idolatry reflect the belief by millions that self-interest is paramount, and that “others” are responsible for thwarting the self-interest that brings happiness. A fixation on self-interest encases one in a mixture of fear leading to anger and becoming hate, ultimately manifesting as malevolence. The Republican Party has for decades successfully celebrated malevolence, which denigrates, obscures and erodes shared values. A recent multi-year study in the Journal of Research in Personality examined whether certain personality traits—those associated with callousness, manipulation, and even enjoyment of others’ suffering—correlate with conservative ideology and support for Trump. The findings are striking: people who view Trump favorably are more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits and lower on empathy and compassion. The binding forces of shared values are empathy, compassion, and benevolence. When half the population believes these forces to be weakness, shared values become more entropic and confidence erodes. One might say that the wages of idolatry is malevolence. Any cure requires a deep understanding of the disease. In recasting its tarnished image, the Democratic Party must learn to shift from treating symptoms to understanding the cause of what ails us.
Very insightful remarks. Seems to me that the golden calf occupying the highest office in the land is a reflection of the overall values of the people. We are a greedy and selfish people. We are going to all have to examine our values and construct a new country based on shared values and humanity. Not gonna lie, there will be a good deal of pain and soul searching required, but I have hope because I believe that the majority of us are capable of decency. It starts in individual hearts and minds.
To me, it says that this is *his* domaine. He is not leaving. Whether his family will inherit his position and grandeur or the position will pass to some other like-minded despot remains to be seen.
Exactly. Why would Trump make plans to build this ridiculous, gaudy, gilded monstrosity as a tribute, a gift to himself when it might not even be finished before his term expires, which then begs the questions: will he simply refuse to leave? Will he change the law that would allow him to run or appoint his successor, or the length of presidential terms? He’s like a dog, pissing in all the corners, claiming the space as his own.
At the end of 2020, after he lost re-election, he said multiple times that he should have simply refused to leave the WH. But staff members persuaded him otherwise.
It would require the passage of a Constitutional amendment for him to legally run again. But if he makes it to 2028, I doubt there will even be a question of elections.
That said, I can't believe he'll still be in office in 2028. I think the cheeseburgers---or something---will get him long before then.
Definitely food for thought.
And food for demise in this case!
Yes, his health is a serious issue and he could drop dead long before his term ends. Like tomorrow? Works for me!
Right now he’s been given broad immunity by SCOTUS and he’s taking full advantage of it. He declared a state of emergency several times which also gives him broad authority. And he’s essentially running the country on EOs.
Trump is not asking for permission from congress to do ANYTHING. He’s simply doing whatever he wants because he has the backing of both chambers and no one is stopping him. So can he get Congressional support to alter election rules and POTUS terms? Who knows.
But he’s clearly desperate now because of the Epstein files. And he’s desperate to regain control of the media cycle. So he just sent nuclear subs closer to Russia, which is an extremely bold move.
He’s also threatening to arrest Obama and Clinton for treason.
It’s friggin’ exhausting.
Simplest solution - pushing daisies.
https://www.npr.org/2025/06/20/nx-s1-5439550/president-trump-is-declaring-national-emergencies-faster-than-any-other-president#:~:text=Transcript-,Trump%20invoked%20emergency%20powers%20more%20times%20in%20his%20first%20100,Hi%2C%20Kat.
True, except the term limit for presidents is a Constitutional Amendment. He and his acolytes like to say they have “options” to work around it.
Yes. And thankfully it’s highly unlikely that trump could get that amendment which would require 2/3 senate votes.
The “options”? Well, that’s an entirely different thing.
Daisies next to Ivana works for me!!!
We appear to have finally gotten the "government we deserve." Honestly, the abject stupidity and ignorance of the average American is appalling. We have crafted a social crucible that produces gullible credulous citizens with great efficiency. I don't know how we fix that. But fix that we must.