I don’t deny that Donald Trump has the right to make modifications to the White House. After all, many Presidents have made changes, some more and some less significant. I also agree that it is embarrassing to have gala events at the White House in a tent. Having a more dignified venue such as a ballroom is really not a bad idea. 

That the funding comes from “donors”, many of them corporations that do business with the US government, and who certainly expect some access to the President in return for their generosity is, by the standards of this administration, only a minor case of corruption. It is not in the same league as the demand by Trump for more than 200 million USD from the justice department for the “pain and suffering” he endured, due to being prosecuted for his misdeeds the last time he was President. This “pay to play” scheme is disgusting, but not criminal.

What gets to me is that the ballroom will be done by Trump, who has absolutely no taste or style. The ballroom will be an ostentatious and gaudy display of gold, gold and more gold. Trump, who was born with the proverbial golden spoon in his mouth, and who entered politics by descending on a golden elevator, has only one thought when it comes to decorating MORE GOLD!!!

The Trump shuttle, since bankrupt, was known for golden fixtures in the airplane toilets. The club at Mar-A-Lago is a grotesque assemblage of gilded bad taste. Trump has already applied his “Midas Touch” to the white house, as the picture of the oval office below shows. Compare the collection of gilded nick-nacks Trump has put together to the understated style his predecessor displayed.

The White House ballroom, that will tower over the historic building, will be a monument to gigantism and bad taste. The way it was constructed, bypassing all conventional checks and approvals, will be a monument to the egomaniac that believes he is the head of a unitary executive that holds absolute power over everything. Of course he will name it the “Trump Ballroom.” It will be sweet revenge, when the next Democrat in the White House will re-name it the “Obama Ballroom”.