Donald Trump's plans to replace the White House East Wing with a gilded, bulletproof ballroom have been met with criticism, with one architecture expert describing the design as exuding 'dictator-for-life vibes'. The $250m (£187.5m) project, funded by donors, features an ornate coffered ceiling, Corinthian columns and gold chandeliers, evoking comparisons to Emperor Nero's Golden House.
The president has selected James McCrery, an architect specialising in traditional Catholic churches, to lead the project. McCrery, a vocal advocate of classical architecture, previously served on the US Commission of Fine Arts during Trump's first term. The design aligns with Trump's executive order 'Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again', which mandates classical style for federal buildings and gives the president final veto power over designs.
The American Institute of Architects has expressed 'extreme concern' over the order, warning it removes local control and adds bureaucratic hurdles. The East Wing, built in 1902, currently houses the first lady's office and sits above a Second World War bunker used during 9/11 and the 2020 George Floyd protests.
Trump, who has reportedly found the White House too small and prefers Mar-a-Lago, has a history of opulent renovations. His earlier changes include regilding the Oval Office and re-paving the Rose Garden. Critics see the ballroom as the latest in a series of self-aggrandising moves, though the White House press secretary has defended the project as enhancing the nation's heritage.
