US President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off criticism over the demolition of part of the White House to build a new ballroom, saying the sound of the construction work was “music to my ears.”
Democrats including former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton accused the Republican of failing to respect the presidential mansion after excavators tore off the facade of the building’s East Wing.
“We’re building a world-class ballroom,” Trump told a lunch for Republican senators at the White House as the grinding and beeping of machinery could be heard in the background. “You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back. You hear that sound? Oh, that’s music to my ears. I love that sound.”
Photo: AP
The 79-year-old property mogul also said taxpayers would not pay for any of the US$250 million plan.
“When I hear that sound [the demolition noise] it reminds me me of money. In this case it reminds of lack of money, because I’m paying for it,” he said.
Trump has said that he is partly funding work on the giant ballroom while private and corporate donors would cover the rest.
Critics, aghast about images of the White House walls crumbling after Trump had pledged the project would not interfere with the existing landmark, said a review process should have taken place before the work began.
The White House still intends to submit those plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees federal construction in Washington and neighboring states, a White House official said.
Last week, Trump hosted a glitzy dinner for donors with guests including several top US tech firms, but the White House has not released a list yet or given any figures.
Journalists saw demolition work under way for a second day on the East Wing, which is where the offices of US first ladies are located.
One former occupant of the East Wing led criticism of Trump’s project.
“It’s not his house. It’s your house, and he’s destroying it,” said former US secretary of state Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 election.
Other Democrats compared it to Trump’s own radical efforts to reshape the federal government and target his political opponents.
“The demolition of the East Wing feels very symbolic of what Trump is doing to our democracy,” US Senator Mazie Hirono wrote on X. “He’ll lie about protecting it, then destroy it right in front of your face.”
Additional reporting by Reuters
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