A new poll reveals that even many Republicans are uneasy about Donald Trump‘s latest White House makeover, with just 45 percent approving of his decision to demolish parts of the East Wing.
Among the Republicans surveyed, 28 percent disapprove and 27 percent said they are unsure whether or not they approve of the radical remake that’s rocking Washington.
According to a recent YouGov America survey, only 33 percent of U.S. adults support the ballroom project, and just 24 percent back the East Wing demolition.
The survey did find that a healthy majority of Republicans – 63 percent – favor the broader renovation project.
On Wednesday, Trump defended the decision to demolish the East Wing, insisting that ‘to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,’ and that it ‘never impressed him.’
At first, the ballroom structure was only going to impact a part of the building, but the president then updated the public saying conversations with architects are what led up to the decision to knock down the entire East Wing.
Initially, Trump had insisted that the 83-year-old structure would remain untouched during the construction of the then $250 million privately funded ballroom.
The White House responded to a reporter Thursday during the White House briefing, saying that the President has released the list of donors and will soon release the amount that each donor is paying into the project, as well as his own funds.
‘There will be a big beautiful ballroom that will hold many galas and notable dignitaries and leaders for years to come,’ Leavitt said.
However, when photos emerged Monday showing a backhoe tearing into the historic building’s walls, concerns quickly mounted.
Asked why the demolition was necessary during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump replied, ‘It was never thought of as being much.’
He added that the second-story addition, built to house the first lady’s offices, ‘was not particularly nice.’
‘After extensive study with some of the world’s top architects, we decided that tearing it down—while preserving a small section—was the best option,’ he said.
Trump plans to pay for the renovations himself, with donors help.
Overall, 33% of US adults approve of the ballroom project and 24% support the East Wing demolition, according to a YouGov America Oct. 21 survey of over 2,000 adults.
A majority – 63 percent – back his more general renovations.
The survey, conducted just one day after work began on the $300 million ballroom, saw a wave of backlash from both sides—especially from Democrats who flooded social media with images accusing the president of ‘destroying’ the White House.
According to the poll, 77% of Democrats disapprove not only of the renovation plans but also of the demolition required to make way for the new additions.
Independents tend to side more with Democrats on the matter, with a majority opposing both the renovations and the plan to demolish sections of the East Wing to accommodate the new additions—disapproval stands at 55% and 54%, respectively.
On Wednesday, Trump defended the decision to demolish the East Wing, insisting that ‘to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,’ and that it ‘never impressed him.’
At first, the ballroom structure was only going to impact a part of the building, but the president then updated the public saying conversations with architects are what led up to the decision to knock down the entire East Wing.
The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on Wednesday
Heavy machinery tears down a section of the East Wing of the White House as construction begins on President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom, in Washington, DC, on Wednesday
President Donald Trump admitted Wednesday that the East Wing never impressed him as he held up mock-ups of his gilded White House ballroom that will take its place
When pressed about criticisms over a lack of transparency regarding the complete demolition, Trump pushed back sharply.
‘I haven’t been transparent about this? Really? I’ve shown this to everybody who would listen,’ he said. ‘Third-rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look. You’re a third-rate reporter.’
Of the 47 presidents so far that have passed through the oval office, many have made changes, although not quite on this scale. Presidents have added their own furniture and decorations, heated swimming pools and even recreational constructs like a bowling alley.
Critics say the President is turning the People’s house into his own ‘Mar-a-Lago.’
A number of former staffers of Republican First Lady Pat Nixon have written to the National Capital Planning Commission to try and get the project stopped, according the East Wing Magazine.
