Trump Says White House Renovations Help Him Relax
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that renovating and improving the White House provides him with relaxation, responding to criticism of his construction projects from former President Barack Obama.
Speaking at a rally in Corinth, Mississippi, Trump highlighted his experience in real estate and building renovations. He said he had a natural ability to repair and improve properties while keeping costs reasonable, adding that such work helped him unwind.
Obama had recently criticised Trump’s renovation plans, comparing the White House’s new appearance to a Cheesecake Factory designed under the rule of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Trump responded by defending the restaurant chain and suggesting that Obama was dismissive of successful businesses.
Trump also argued that the White House had been in poor condition when he assumed office. He claimed that plaster was falling from the building’s exterior and decorative features around several windows were damaged or missing. According to him, his team reproduced the intact ornamentation using moulds and restored the affected areas.
Discussing the ballroom under construction in the East Wing, Trump said he would have pursued the project during his first presidential term but was prevented from doing so by the political challenges he faced at the time.
He concluded by describing the White House as a national symbol of the United States, stressing the importance of maintaining and improving the historic building.
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