Trump Eyes a Facelift for the White House's Iconic Facade
Plans are underway for a significant alteration to the White House, as Donald Trump considers a redesign of its iconic front facade. This potential change could leave a lasting imprint on one of the nation’s most recognized landmarks.
According to reports, a key figure appointed by Trump to a design committee is expected to propose replacing the traditional white columns with a more elaborate style that aligns with the president's personal aesthetic preferences.
The proposed “Corinthian” columns would feature shorter midsections and increased decorative elements at their tops, diverging from the tapered design currently in place. This architectural style mirrors those found in several of Trump’s properties, including Trump Tower.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chair of the Commission of Fine Arts and a Trump appointee, expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating he has yet to discuss this idea with the president. He remarked on the peculiarity of the White House using a different column style than both the Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court, which both utilize Corinthian columns.
“Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that’s what our other two branches of government have,” Cook noted, questioning why the White House did not originally adopt this style for its north front, deemed the main entrance.
Design experts have suggested that the existing column style was intentionally chosen to reflect a more modest aesthetic for the residence of the first family. Bruce Redman Becker, a design expert previously removed from the committee by Trump, criticized the proposal as “completely inappropriate” and inconsistent with established historic preservation standards.
Trump’s fixation on renovating the White House has overshadowed various aspects of his second term, including policy initiatives and achievements. His plan to demolish the East Wing, which houses the first lady’s offices, in favor of a grand ballroom has drawn ridicule from political opponents who argue it distracts from more pressing issues and serves as a means for Trump to solicit donations from affluent supporters.
Changes to the White House have been swift during Trump’s current term, with gold lettering and signage appearing throughout the building, reminiscent of his luxury properties. Additionally, he has utilized the White House to provoke his political adversaries by placing derogatory plaques beneath portraits of past Democratic leaders.
In Washington D.C., Trump is also initiating an expensive renovation of the Kennedy Center after it was closed due to artists withdrawing from performances in protest against his name being associated with the venue and his directive to shift its programming away from what he deems “woke” culture, often interpreted as pro-LGBT content and performances by liberal artists.
