BREAKING: Chelsea Clinton has sharply criticized Donald Trump for his ongoing renovations at the White House, labeling his actions a “wrecking ball to our heritage.” In a just published opinion piece for USA Today, Clinton claims Trump’s “disregard for history” is a hallmark of his presidency.
Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, expressed her concerns over the demolition of the East Wing, which is being transformed into a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. “This is what happens when we take a wrecking ball to our heritage,” she wrote, emphasizing the emotional impact of the changes on the American public.
The demolition has already led to the removal of the East Wing’s colonnade, public entrance, and several key areas, including the first family’s movie theatre and the first lady’s office. A recent YouGov America poll reveals that 53% of respondents oppose the destruction of the East Wing, while only 24% support Trump’s redesign.
“Our greatness doesn’t come because we ignore our history—it comes because we acknowledge it,” Clinton stated.
Clinton pointed out that the ballroom project is anticipated to cost around $300 million. Earlier this month, Trump hosted a dinner at the White House to thank wealthy donors who have funded the renovation. While Clinton acknowledged Trump’s legal authority over the White House grounds, she raised questions about the transparency of the process.
“It is unsettling that such substantial alterations… are being undertaken without a historic-preservation review,” Clinton remarked, urging the involvement of historians in the decision-making process. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration did not submit construction plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees construction but not demolition.
Clinton also highlighted the importance of the White House as a space for numerous staff members, stating, “Many of those professionals spend substantially more years working in the White House than any presidential family does living in it.”
“What was dismantled today isn’t just marble or plaster; it is a reflection of how easily history can be erased,” Clinton concluded.
This critique follows a recent social media post by her mother, Hillary Clinton, who also condemned Trump’s actions. Hillary shared a photo of the East Wing destruction, captioning it, “It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”
As the debate over the future of the White House intensifies, all eyes are on Trump’s administration and its historic preservation policies. Will the American public continue to stand against these changes, or will the renovations proceed as planned? Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
