Trump's White House Makeover: Legacy Building or Power Display?

90,000 square feet. That's the size of the ballroom Donald Trump wants to build on White House grounds—larger than the 55,000-square-foot main residence and six times bigger than the 15,000-square-foot East Wing he demolished to make room for it.

But the real story isn't in the square footage. It's in how Trump is ensuring he gets what he wants.

Stacking the Deck

On Thursday, the Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved Trump's ballroom plans. The timing was no coincidence. That same morning, the commission welcomed its newest member: Chamberlain Harris, a current White House aide with zero architectural experience.

Next up is the National Capital Planning Commission, expected to vote early next month. Its chairman? Will Scharf, Trump's current White House staff secretary.

When you control the approval process, approval becomes a formality.

Beyond the Ballroom

The New York Times called it Trump's "Pharaonic legacy-building" project, and the East Wing is just the beginning. Across the Potomac River, Trump envisions a 250-foot arch—about 1.5 times taller than Paris's Arc de Triomphe. He's eyeing renovations to the Kennedy Center, attempting to brand it with his own name. And he's considering changes to the golf course at East Potomac Park that could threaten both public space and Washington DC's beloved cherry trees.

Meanwhile, a banner featuring Trump's image now hangs from the Justice Department headquarters downtown—another piece of his redecorating campaign.

The Architecture of Authority

Throughout history, rulers have used architecture to project power and ensure remembrance. From the pyramids to Versailles, buildings become statements about who holds authority and how they want to be remembered.

Trump's approach is distinctly modern yet familiar. He's not just occupying existing spaces—he's reshaping them to reflect his vision of presidential power. The ballroom isn't just a venue; it's a monument to his presidency that will outlast his term.

The Public vs. The Personal

But here's where it gets complicated. The White House belongs to the American people, not to any individual president. When Trump demolished the historic East Wing in October, he erased a piece of shared heritage. When he plans to potentially remove cherry trees for a golf course renovation, he's prioritizing personal preference over public enjoyment.

The question isn't whether presidents should be able to make changes—they always have. It's about the scale, permanence, and purpose of those changes.

What does it mean when the people's house becomes one person's monument?