The BareStory
On his program Friday, host Bill Maher commented on President Donald Trump’s construction of a new ballroom at the White House, stating that he did not care about the project and criticizing its media coverage as being "one side or the other." Maher said the White House is "just a building" and noted that past presidents have also made modifications.
Maher suggested the ballroom could be a worthwhile investment, pointing out that state dinners are currently hosted in a tent. He also observed that the project is being funded with private money and not taxpayer dollars. According to one account, Maher made his recent comments in a discussion with former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who argued the demolition was the "destruction of a symbol" and that the president acted "without accountability."
The project has been described in one report as a $200 million, privately funded remodel of the East Wing. An excavator was reportedly seen at the site of the demolished East Wing on October 23. Unnamed officials were cited in one account as calling the construction a "bold, necessary addition" that continues a history of upgrades by previous administrations.
Maher's recent statements differed from comments he reportedly made last month, when he said the "symbolism" of building a large ballroom suggested the president was "not leaving" the White House. On the same Friday program, Maher also compared the U.S. Constitution to the Bible, claiming both are sacred texts that many people revere but do not read or follow.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The project is described as privately funded, meaning it is not expected to use taxpayer dollars or directly affect your personal finances.
• A new ballroom may change how the U.S. hosts state dinners, potentially affecting the presentation and execution of official diplomatic functions.
• Concerns raised about a lack of accountability could influence future standards for executive oversight on projects involving federal properties and national symbols.
