The large-scale renovation of the White House under President Donald Trump has become one of the most controversial issues in US politics. Changes, from gilded decor in the Oval Office to the construction of a new $300 million ballroom, have triggered broad public debate and split opinions.
Trump asserts that the project is privately financed and stresses the need for upgrades to host major events. The renovations include gold ornaments, a Rose Garden paved with tiles and furnished with new parasols and tables, and, most notably, a grand ballroom for over a thousand guests. However, experts point out the resemblance of the new design to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, raising questions about historical appropriateness.
Officials, historians, and former White House residents criticize the project as an exercise in extravagance and self-promotion. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters argue that the refurbishment is part of a longstanding presidential tradition, recalling updates made by Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Kennedy.
The renovation is viewed as part of the ongoing evolution of the presidential residence. Yet, critics emphasize the highly personal and private style imposed on a national symbol. The debate epitomizes deep American divisions about legacy, opulence, and the standards of public office.
