In somewhat troubling news for President Donald Trump, a new poll shows that a significant portion of Republicans oppose the president’s decision to demolish the East Wing and construct a ballroom.
For decades, the White House East Wing served as the First Lady’s office and staff.
Despite public outcry, Trump has begun construction of a ballroom to replace the East Wing.
The president has stressed the importance of a ballroom for hosting functions with world leaders at the White House more effectively.
The ballroom will be 90,000 square feet in length,
Although the president believes the project is essential, some Republicans aren’t on board.
A new poll shared by the Daily Mail shows that while 45% of Republicans favor demolishing the East Wing, 28% oppose it, and 27% are unsure.
A YouGov America poll shows that 33% of Americans support the groundbreaking project, while just 24% approve of the East Wing demolition.
Trump has responded to criticism of his move by saying that the demolition was necessary to satisfy the ballroom and that the East Wing “never impressed him.”
Amid public outrage, the White House released a statement demonstrating that 12 other presidents, including former President Barack Obama, made extensive renovations during their tenure.
Obama, for example, ” resurfaced the south-grounds tennis court into a basketball court and added the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn,” as the White House noted.
Former President Richard Nixon also made a consequential renovation to the White House, having replaced a swimming pool in the 70s to create the modern-day press briefing room.
In a separate statement, the White House noted that although the historic presidential home is “beautiful,” it lacks the resources to host major international events.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance,” the statement read.
“The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” it continued.
The construction of the ballroom represents one of Trump’s latest controversies, with many rebuking the president for destroying the historic East Wing.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) daughter took to social media to disprove not of the ballroom, per se, but rather at the fact that Trump is the one building it.
“If it was like the Obamas, I’d be like, ok at least what they will build will be classy,” she said.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also lambasted the president’s move, claiming that he will be “celebrated like a king” in the ballroom.
“The East Wing of the White House is being demolished so that Donald Trump can construct a ballroom where he will be celebrated like a king,” Jeffries said.
