President Donald Trump’s plan to demolish the White House East Wing and replace it with a new ballroom remains tied up in litigation even as the Supreme Court has allowed construction to continue while the case works through the appeals process. Americans who spoke with Fox News Digital last week are split on whether the project should happen at all.
Trump has defended the ballroom as an overdue improvement, arguing it would give the White House a proper space for large events and reduce the kind of security risk that unfolded in May, when a gunman charged into the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Not everyone is convinced. Frank, from Kansas City, Missouri, rejected the project outright.
“No, definitely not. Tearing down the East Wing without all proper authorizations was improper. The way the money is being raised is improper, so I’m ‘no’ to all of it.”
Frank’s comment points to the ongoing legal battle the administration is fighting to keep the project moving, a fight that has already gone through an appeals court and up to the Supreme Court.
Chuck, from Washington, D.C., was equally blunt in his opposition, calling the ballroom a “horrible idea” regardless of timing.
“There’s so much more we have to tackle. And building a ballroom should not be a priority one or a priority two.”
Other Washington residents and visitors see it differently. Danisha, also from Washington, said she supports Trump and believes he has earned the addition.
“I think the White House definitely should use the ballroom to be beautiful and nice. Because, I think that the president should be able to have fun and invite people to the ballroom.”
Sherry and Bill, visiting from Knoxville, backed the project as well. Bill argued that a country like the United States deserves the addition.
“It’s brilliant. We need it.”
Bill added that the ballroom would outlast any single administration.
“Who cares who’s in the administration, Democrat or Republican? They’re gonna use the ballroom.”
Sherry pointed out the project is being paid for with private funds, an argument meant to address critics worried about taxpayer money going toward the construction.
As of Monday, the Supreme Court has allowed construction to proceed while the underlying case continues through the appeals process, with plaintiffs prepared to seek relief from the high court if it agrees to take up the full case.
