Late-night television hosts this week criticized the destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the corporate sponsors of a $300 million luxury hall construction.
The 'Late Night' Host
On a recent episode of 'Late Night', Seth Meyers expressed disbelief over the administration's plan to construct a opulent event space. “It would be bad enough if his biggest priority was just building a self-aggrandizing structure for himself, but it’s so much worse,” he remarked. “Because to do it, he’s tearing down a historically significant and beloved piece of property.”
That property is the whole eastern section of the presidential residence, which has stood for 120 years. He's demolishing the complete eastern wing to build his stupid ballroom. Just consider this,” Meyers marveled. “This is like a sequel to Fixer Upper called a disastrous remake.”
Unsurprisingly, the president misled about the initiative.” When he first announced it no demolition and said it “won’t interfere with the existing structure” because it would be “adjacent without contact”.
“So he basically promised to treat it like his marriage,” Meyers joked.
The president claimed the design evolved “after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world”.
Is that so? Who was the designer you consulted, Godzilla?” Meyers joked.
Outrage has been swift, though unproductive. The National Trust for Historic Preservation wrote to the president stating that the addition would overwhelm the current residence and asked him to pause construction until the plans could be reviewed. “One, I couldn’t agree more with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” said Meyers. “And two, best wishes with that appeal.”
It's the epitome of deceptive tactics,” he added. “He won the election by claiming he was going to make life more affordable for hardworking Americans, and now he’s demolishing the White House to construct for himself a gilded vanity project.”
The 'Late Show' Host
“As of this morning the East Wing resembled a rotisserie chicken your dog got into,” said Stephen Colbert on the Late Show. “That is very upsetting to look at, I realize that, and the government is aware,” because on Thursday, the Secret Service closed access to a public space where reporters were photographing images of the demolition.
That seems logical – if none of it is on camera, they can just claim the East Wing met an unfortunate end,” Colbert quipped.
The host pointed out that it was “a lot of history being smashed to rubble”, as that section was constructed over a century ago and had been the base for first ladies since the 1970s. “Actually, Melania was in the eastern part, and I truly wish they got her out because she’s frequently confused with a decorative lighting fixture,” Colbert joked over a photo of her more unusual ensembles.
The president financed the “ball-doggle” with money from eager businesses including major tech and entertainment firms. “And Trump needs all the funds he can get,” noted the host, as the estimated cost has already increased from $250 million to over $300m, for a 90,000 sq-ft building, larger than the current residence itself. “That’s about the same size as a professional soccer field,” Colbert observed. “So remember, corporations, as you influence the administration: play fair.”
The Daily Show
Meanwhile, on the comedy program, Michael Kosta detailed the swift evolution of the project from idea to action. “Initially, he assured that it would be distinct from the current building and he wouldn’t touch the eastern section. That the work would remain non-intrusive,” he summarized.
“Recently, there was a minor adjustment when Trump ripped open the eastern facade like it had a collectible toy inside.”
By Thursday, the entire East Wing was gone. “Events are unfolding rapidly,” he said. “This guy’s been taking 15 years to deliver a healthcare plan, but in 3.5 days he’s torn down a major section. The president, assure us this will be aesthetically pleasing …”
Unfortunately not – according to a miniature display presented in the Oval Office, the ballroom will dwarf the current White House. “It resembles a crustacean with the big arms, doesn’t it?” Kosta laughed. “I mean, I don’t know a lot about architecture. But I do know a thing or two about exaggerated displays.”
