"On Monday, construction crews began tearing into the East Wing of the White House. The demolition marked the start of President Donald Trump's long-promised State Ballroom a 90,000-square-foot addition he approved and announced without waiting for the usual review process. The federal commission that oversees major White House projects, the National Capital Planning Commission, had not yet signed off on the ballroom's construction plans."
"For Trump, the White House is less a symbol of civic stewardship and more like prime real estate with a terribly weak homeowners' association. The new State Ballroom will seat nearly a thousand guests, paid for by private donors. The administration's logic is simple: if wealthy donors pick up the tab, the rules need not apply. No public funds means no public oversight."
Construction crews began demolishing the East Wing to start a 90,000-square-foot State Ballroom approved and announced without standard review. The National Capital Planning Commission had not yet signed off on construction plans, and its chairman said the demolition phase did not require approval. White House Communications limited visuals of the demolition, reflecting concern about public perception. The change bypasses traditional bureaucratic review that previous administrations respected. The privately funded ballroom will seat nearly a thousand guests, and the administration argued private payment removes the need for public oversight. Critics warn that private funding risks turning the White House into a privately influenced property and undermines democratic legitimacy.
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