Trump Defends Sweeping White House Renovations: ‘I Made It Beautiful’
President Trump is defending the extensive renovations he has made to the White House, arguing that the historic building was in serious need of repairs and that his construction experience allowed him to restore and improve the presidential residence.
During a wide-ranging interview with Time, Trump described the condition of the White House when he returned to office as badly deteriorated. He said exterior ornamentation was damaged, doors and locks needed repairs and portions of the building suffered from leaks and other maintenance problems.
“The place was in terrible shape. I made it beautiful,” Trump said while discussing the work. At one point during the interview, the president had an aide bring out historical photographs showing previous White House renovations and structural work.
Trump has made significant changes throughout the White House complex during his second term. The Oval Office has received extensive gold-colored ornamentation and additional portraits, while the Rose Garden was redesigned with a hard-surface patio and outdoor seating.
The president said he has also asked White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles about potentially securing historic protection for the Oval Office. Trump argued that the presidential workspace is a unique part of American history and should be protected from major alterations by future administrations.
The largest project underway is the construction of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom replacing the East Wing. Trump said steel installation is expected to begin soon, with construction currently scheduled for completion in August 2027.
The new five-story structure is planned to include the ballroom along with office space, an updated military command center, medical facilities and other infrastructure. Trump has said the ballroom will provide the White House with substantially more space for state dinners and other major events.
Trump has also overseen construction of a granite helipad on the South Lawn designed to accommodate the new Marine One helicopter. He said the previous setup was damaging the lawn because of the aircraft’s increased weight.
The president has emphasized that taxpayers are not funding some of the most prominent projects. The ballroom is being financed through private donations, while the new helipad was funded by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the new presidential helicopter.
Trump said his decades of experience in real estate and construction make overseeing the projects familiar territory for him. He described the renovation work as relaxing and argued that maintaining the White House is particularly important because the building serves as one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States.
The renovations have also generated legal challenges and criticism from historic preservation groups. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued over the ballroom project, although construction has been permitted to continue while the case moves through the courts.
Trump maintains that the changes are preserving and improving the White House rather than diminishing its historic character. He argued that deteriorating portions of the building needed attention regardless of the controversy surrounding his approach and said the White House is now in significantly better condition.