‘i Did Not Vote For This’: Report Reveals 97 Percent Of Responses To Trump’s Ballroom Just Hate It

Furious Americans person blasted President Donald Trump’s projected $400 cardinal ballroom by bombarding a readying committee pinch angry comments up of a cardinal gathering connected nan task — and they were overwhelmingly negative.

The nationalist submitted much than 35,000 comments to nan National Capital Planning Commission and 97 percent were captious of nan plans, according to study by The Washington Post. Similarly, study by The New York Times found that 98 percent of nan much than 10,000 pages of comments were negative.

More than 500 comments branded Trump’s plans for nan ballroom arsenic “tacky,” while hundreds much were outraged astatine nan demolition of nan historical East Wing. The comments were submitted up of a virtual nationalist proceeding scheduled Thursday, wherever 100 group are slated to testify, The Independent found.

Images of demolition crews razing nan historical East Wing to nan crushed successful October past twelvemonth drew wide condemnation from nan nationalist and Democrats. But Trump and his management person insisted that nan plans are basal for hosting ample events, specified arsenic authorities dinners.

The caller White House ballroom is expected to beryllium a monolithic summation to nan People’s House, but nan project, funded by backstage donors, has been heavy scrutinized for its speedy implementation and precocious costs – jumping from an first $200 cardinal estimate to $400 million.

The American group didn’t clasp back. Some submissions included their afloat names, while others went by a first sanction only.

“No 1 pinch sensation aliases dignity would o.k. of this tacky ballroom that dwarfs nan size of nan historical White House,” 1 personification wrote successful a scathing comment. “I understand nan President needs it for corrupt fundraisers and individual business interests specified arsenic his ain crypto coins bought by overseas interests. Please see my comments successful nan charismatic records for this corrupt renovation.”

“Tacky golden leafage and pillars cannot disguise mediocre planning,” said a submission by R. Hayes. “Anything built successful this exemplary will 1 time beryllium removed. Let’s not discarded each of our clip and money connected narcissism.”

Another described nan task arsenic “a monstrous, tacky, gigantic edifice.”

Many Americans expressed really they “didn’t vote” for nan lofty ballroom plans.

“No ballroom please,” said a submission identified arsenic Claire Banchich. “Most of nan American group dislike this intended project. We did not ballot for this.”

“We did not ballot for our monuments and our humanities buildings to beryllium destroyed because of 1 man’s ego,” wrote Jill Comras.

“I did not ballot for a ballroom that dwarfs nan White House, nan People's House,” publication a submission from Jennifer Fink.

“The existent American People who did not ballot for ANY OF THIS will not guidelines for overmuch more,” said Lilith Gist.

Many called for nan ballroom to beryllium canceled entirely.

“Our White House does not request a tacky gilded monument to arrogance and excess,” a submission read. “Please cancel nan ballroom project!”

“Stop this atrocious ballroom! It is excessively big, almost doubly nan quadrate footage of nan White House itself. This monstrosity will ruin nan symmetry of 200 years of nan White House,” said a remark from Richard Orton. “If a ballroom is needed, build it location else. Don't licence this summation to destruct this historical nationalist treasure.”

Another, from designer Donna Wax, called nan president’s plans for nan gilded ballroom a “fascist return connected classism.”

There were, however, a fistful of affirmative comments from Trump supporters and those who thought nan ballroom was a bully idea.

“I voted for our president and what he is bringing to nan White House,” wrote Greg Sullivan. “He will do an awesome occupation connected this overmuch needed summation useful by each consequent administrations.”

“I deliberation it’s perfectly awesome that we person patriots consenting to put up nan money to build this ballroom for our country,” publication 1 submission from Larry Carpentr.

“I deliberation this will beryllium great. Improved use. Public backstage partnership. Things that make America a awesome place,” said Stephen Bolster.

Trump officials person continued to push nan connection that nan ballroom is astatine nary payer expense. It is being financed by backstage donors, including tech giants Amazon, Microsoft, Palantir and Nvidia, while others are remaining anonymous.

“President Trump is moving 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historical beautification of nan White House, astatine nary payer expense,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said successful a erstwhile connection to The Independent. “These long-needed upgrades will use generations of early presidents and American visitors to nan People’s House.”

Last week, a national judge rejected a preservation group’s request for an injunction to artifact nan project.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation revenge an amended suit complete nan weekend. It alleged nan Trump management violated aggregate national laws by embarking connected nan building task unilaterally past autumn without anterior support from nan 2 readying commissions and Congress.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of nan White House without immoderate reappraisal whatsoever — not President Trump, nary President Biden, and not anyone else,” nan suit reads.

Josh Marcus contributed to this report