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Trump's ballroom scheme reeks of corruption and authoritarian overreach. Firing independent commissioners to install loyalists, demolishing historic structures without proper approval, and accepting millions from tech giants seeking influence expose an autocratic president prioritizing personal vanity over democratic norms. The $400 million monument to excess, funded by corporate donors with business before the administration, transforms the people's house into a gilded palace for Trump's cronies.
The new White House ballroom represents progress, not excess. Privately funded at zero taxpayer cost, this classical addition finally provides secure indoor space for state dinners currently relegated to unsightly tents. Every president has updated the White House, and replacing the relatively more recent East Wing with a beautiful, functional space accessible to more Americans than ever before continues that tradition. The project restores architectural excellence after decades of Brutalist mediocrity.