There was major freak out by Republicans when Obama repainted lines on the tennis court and put two hoops up to make it a basketball court. There was probably some racism mixed in there. The point is Obama used a can of paint on an existing court that wasn't being used and Senate attempted to stop him, they didn't have the votes but they are scarey quiet over the white house being destroyed.
The Senate does have a responsibility here and they aren't governing. Any changes, especially this massive, must be approved by the Senate as they control the purse - doesn't matter if donors are paying, the checks they are writing are going to our government or to President Trump, who works for us. He knows they won't stop him or he is starting the vanity project during a government shutdown so no one can stop him.
He also didn't have all of the correct permits on the first demolition day but he did it anyway and no one said a word.
I am scared to think about what other countries are throwing money into this ballrom, think Air Force One. They are most likely expecting something in return and I'm sure Trump is more than happy to oblige.
The corruption the Trump family is methodically working, with the help of "Moses" Mike Johnson, makes Hunter Biden and the 10M he made off of his family name ook like an under achiever.
Rick Steves had a good column on this. I think Tim is being way too dismissive about what this means. The festering carbuncle that is this administration needs to be excised, and pledging to undo this vanity project is a small but necessary part of the treatment.
He’s rebuilding the bunker that sits under what used to be the east wing. I’m sure he wants to expand it so they needed to tear off the structure above so they could dig a bigger hole. Mark my words. Plus, it’s a giant fuck you to the American people,which I’m sure is just a bonus for him.
Trump assaults women and possibly girls. Trumps agents assault whomever they want. Trump assaults our democracy and democratic institutions. Trump assaults a (the?) main symbol of our nation.
Hold on to your hats. He’s just getting started. The NYT is reporting that Trump wants to build a triumphal arch, like the Arc de Triomphe, near the Lincoln Memorial, before the 250-year celebration. The mood is more funereal than celebratory.
Once again I look at Marco Rubio sitting there and wonder if he still has a soul. I know most of the others don’t any longer. Trump has touched them, and they are all withering away as we watch. They all look like an orange left out to dry in the sun.
Even David Brooks thought that he supported Trump’s vision of a new ballroom for state visits. I wonder if he still thinks that now? Most of us will never be invited to a state dinner at that ballroom. But all of those donors will most definitely attend many times. Instead of the people’s house it has become the billionaires estate.
However, it is expected behavior of a malignant narcissist. We all seem to skip over this fact. Donald J. Trump is, and for life, mentally ill. This should not be glossed over; our president's mental behavior is an unhealthy side effect of his condition. While Trump's personality disorder explains his behavior, it does not explain the administrative transformation.
Remaking the United States is the Heritage Foundation Christian Nationalists. Make no mistake, they are single minded, organized and have a plan.
We need to boycott each and every one of the companies that are "funding" this disaster. I get it they were each "voluntold" in not so many words. Hey you better kow-tow to me or the Department of Justice and the IRS will hear about it. I also know the names of "donors" is extensive.
Maybe it is not possible for all of us to to easily eradicate all the donors from our lives. But what if each of the 7 million marchers from No Kings picks three of the donors to boycott. Not coordinated - we each choose three. I can tell you it worked for Target and their shameless DEI volte face. I have not been in a Target since and will never go in again. CEO managed to get fired - not because of me alone, but I still felt happy to have been a part of that.
This gaping wound in the White House is a mirror of El Trumpo's abuse of the presidency. What he likes --i.e. money, power, attention -- he grabs more and more of; what he dislikes -- i.e. rule of law, limits, sharing power, dissent , the American people -- he destroys, in the clumsiest and most dramatic way he can muster. He's a toddler realizing his wildest dreams of driving a bulldozer full speed into everything and everyone who ever tells him "NO."
Listening to the latest outrage – the literal destruction of the White House – I had an idea: a quick response demonstration. Building on the No Kings list, and starting with DC, get a list that could get people down within days. (My wife and attended No Kings in Columbia, Maryland; we’ve been to several demonstrations outside the Capital. I attended Principles First last February.) A demonstration of even several hundred could help fix attention on something important – like the trashing of the East Wing.
If you think the idea has merit, would you suggest this to those in this area who know how to make that happen?
(If you want to contact me, I expect you can do it via my Bulwark membership.)
It looks like he's planning to stay in what used to be the People's House long after 2028. We should be concerned.
There was major freak out by Republicans when Obama repainted lines on the tennis court and put two hoops up to make it a basketball court. There was probably some racism mixed in there. The point is Obama used a can of paint on an existing court that wasn't being used and Senate attempted to stop him, they didn't have the votes but they are scarey quiet over the white house being destroyed.
The Senate does have a responsibility here and they aren't governing. Any changes, especially this massive, must be approved by the Senate as they control the purse - doesn't matter if donors are paying, the checks they are writing are going to our government or to President Trump, who works for us. He knows they won't stop him or he is starting the vanity project during a government shutdown so no one can stop him.
He also didn't have all of the correct permits on the first demolition day but he did it anyway and no one said a word.
I am scared to think about what other countries are throwing money into this ballrom, think Air Force One. They are most likely expecting something in return and I'm sure Trump is more than happy to oblige.
The corruption the Trump family is methodically working, with the help of "Moses" Mike Johnson, makes Hunter Biden and the 10M he made off of his family name ook like an under achiever.
The photos represent/symbolize, to me, the moral character of the current Executive (Administration)
Also, and ok maybe a bit of a stretch (but I stand by the assertion: to me this is all akin to a Taliban-like approach to ancient monuments.
Rick Steves had a good column on this. I think Tim is being way too dismissive about what this means. The festering carbuncle that is this administration needs to be excised, and pledging to undo this vanity project is a small but necessary part of the treatment.
He’s rebuilding the bunker that sits under what used to be the east wing. I’m sure he wants to expand it so they needed to tear off the structure above so they could dig a bigger hole. Mark my words. Plus, it’s a giant fuck you to the American people,which I’m sure is just a bonus for him.
Trump assaults women and possibly girls. Trumps agents assault whomever they want. Trump assaults our democracy and democratic institutions. Trump assaults a (the?) main symbol of our nation.
Hold on to your hats. He’s just getting started. The NYT is reporting that Trump wants to build a triumphal arch, like the Arc de Triomphe, near the Lincoln Memorial, before the 250-year celebration. The mood is more funereal than celebratory.
I'm with JVL , the first order of business needs to be demolish, plant roses .
Once again I look at Marco Rubio sitting there and wonder if he still has a soul. I know most of the others don’t any longer. Trump has touched them, and they are all withering away as we watch. They all look like an orange left out to dry in the sun.
Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. This will never be forgotten. Thank you for the excellent piece.
Even David Brooks thought that he supported Trump’s vision of a new ballroom for state visits. I wonder if he still thinks that now? Most of us will never be invited to a state dinner at that ballroom. But all of those donors will most definitely attend many times. Instead of the people’s house it has become the billionaires estate.
It is despicable.
However, it is expected behavior of a malignant narcissist. We all seem to skip over this fact. Donald J. Trump is, and for life, mentally ill. This should not be glossed over; our president's mental behavior is an unhealthy side effect of his condition. While Trump's personality disorder explains his behavior, it does not explain the administrative transformation.
Remaking the United States is the Heritage Foundation Christian Nationalists. Make no mistake, they are single minded, organized and have a plan.
Ode to the Grandest
Magnolia grandiflora!
Giant white blossoms
Open to the sky, soar
like clouds, glossy leaves surround
The luscious cream flowers
effuse a lemony scent in certain hours.
(In honor of the close to 200-year old
magnolia tree planted by Andrew Jackson
and cut down by Donald Trump in October 2025
to make room for his "big beautiful ballroom")
--Lisa Owens Viani
We need to boycott each and every one of the companies that are "funding" this disaster. I get it they were each "voluntold" in not so many words. Hey you better kow-tow to me or the Department of Justice and the IRS will hear about it. I also know the names of "donors" is extensive.
Maybe it is not possible for all of us to to easily eradicate all the donors from our lives. But what if each of the 7 million marchers from No Kings picks three of the donors to boycott. Not coordinated - we each choose three. I can tell you it worked for Target and their shameless DEI volte face. I have not been in a Target since and will never go in again. CEO managed to get fired - not because of me alone, but I still felt happy to have been a part of that.
Cutting out 3 hyporcrites should be doable.
Thank you, Mona, so very well said.
This gaping wound in the White House is a mirror of El Trumpo's abuse of the presidency. What he likes --i.e. money, power, attention -- he grabs more and more of; what he dislikes -- i.e. rule of law, limits, sharing power, dissent , the American people -- he destroys, in the clumsiest and most dramatic way he can muster. He's a toddler realizing his wildest dreams of driving a bulldozer full speed into everything and everyone who ever tells him "NO."
Listening to the latest outrage – the literal destruction of the White House – I had an idea: a quick response demonstration. Building on the No Kings list, and starting with DC, get a list that could get people down within days. (My wife and attended No Kings in Columbia, Maryland; we’ve been to several demonstrations outside the Capital. I attended Principles First last February.) A demonstration of even several hundred could help fix attention on something important – like the trashing of the East Wing.
If you think the idea has merit, would you suggest this to those in this area who know how to make that happen?
(If you want to contact me, I expect you can do it via my Bulwark membership.)