Presidential Legacies

I am constantly amazed at the opposition that President Trump engenders on almost anything he says or does.

Trump could find the cure for cancer or bring peace to every country on the planet and there would still be those who would find fault with it.

The latest example involves what Trump has been doing to improve the White House.

Last month two new 88 foot flag poles were unveiled at the White House that were totally paid for by Trump.

There is now a flag pole on each side of the White House.

Previously, the only flag visible on the property was hanging from a small pole on top of the White House.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/gallery/president-trump-raises-new-american-flag-on-south-lawn-of-the-white-house/

 

I like the look.

However, it seems that there are some who do not want to see Trump make any changes to the White House grounds, no matter what they are.

This is a headline form The Daily Beast who thinks the changes Trump is making to the White House are "monstrous" and "tacky".

Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-makes-more-monstrous-changes-to-the-white-house/

Trump has also recently modernized the grass in the center of the White House Rose Garden with a hard surface that makes it more useable and accessible. Many events have to be held in the Rose Garden because of limited space in the White House. 

However, women with heels and those who were disabled had a difficult time navigating the grass. It was unusable if the grass was wet from recent rain.

The roses and plantings that surround the center remain but a hard surface has replaced the soft grass in the center.

The new surface also includes drain grates in the design of the American flag and the Presidential seal in all four corners.

The Rose Garden is now a much more functional and practical place for events.

Yes, some green space has been replaced but there is still plenty of grass remaining at the White House and the roses are still in the garden as they were before..

It looks to me to be a good decision.

Finally, Trump has announced plans to build a $200 million ballroom adjoining the White House that can seat 650 guests for events such as state dinners.

There is currently nothing at the White House that can accommodate more than 200 guests for receptions, banquets, dinners or ceremonies. That is the capacity of the East Room.

Larger events such as state dinners currently have to be held in a temporary tent that is constructed each time it is necessary,

The tent look is not exactly in keeping with what you would expect from the nation's executive mansion.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5OrO8gUzgI

The renderings I have seen of Trump's ballroom look spectacular to me.

A lot windows, a light, airy and classy space with a view of the Washington Monument in the distance.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2025/07/31/see-renderings-for-the-new-white-house-ballroom/85468370007/

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2025/07/31/see-renderings-for-the-new-white-house-ballroom/85468370007/

The building would be to the east of the White House and on the opposite side from the West Wing offices and the Rose Garden.

Critics argue that the ballroom would do harm to the historical significance of the White House property.

Preservationists must like the days when everyone lived in tents.

This is a rendering of the exterior of the south side of the White House with the ballroom addition.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2025/07/31/see-renderings-for-the-new-white-house-ballroom/85468370007/

Here is a rendering of the east side of the ballroom addition that would face toward the Treasury Department buidling.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2025/07/31/see-renderings-for-the-new-white-house-ballroom/85468370007/

I don't think you could get anything the size of that ballroom facility to tie in with the the character and architectural design of the White House that would be better than what is proposed here.

All of this is also not going to cost the taxpayers anything.

Trump has stated he is going to pay for the new ballroom with his own funds and those of private donors.

The President was even seen up on the White House roof this week with his architects overseeing plans for this project and possibly other ideas he has for the property.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-appears-white-house-roof-amid-talks-historic-renovations

Trump is looking at all of this as a legacy project.

Even if all of the construction that is scheduled to begin in September goes exactly as planned, Trump will likely not be able to enjoy much of it as President.

Trump is not doing it for himself. He is doing it for the country.

All of these White House projects reveal quite a bit about Trump.

First, Trump is an iconoclast who is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and the status quo.

I wrote about Trump as an iconoclast earlier this year.

Iconoclasts are rare but we need them to move society forward.

Too many people cannot see beyond the status quo on what might improve our situation.

These projects are great examples.

Are we going to keep holding Rose Garden events on soggy grass just because JFK did 60 years ago?

Trump is also not afraid to take the heat to accomplish things that should be done.

Second, Trump always uses common sense thinking in looking at any problem. 

Are we going to keep having state dinners in a tent because there is no room in the White House that can seat more than 200 people?

Why don't we build a permanent facility? 

We can use it in multiple ways and we also won't have to erect an unsightly tent 100 yards from the White House entrance every time we need the space.

Third, Trump loves building things and the construction process. These projects are in Trump's blood and you can be sure that they will be done right. Trump is famous for his attention to detail in his projects and you can be sure that everything will be done with class and refinement. Trump will not have it any other way.

Fourth, as I alluded to earlier, Trump is looking at his legacy. He wants to leave something that will be an asset to the country that will last well beyond his time on earth.

On the subject of legacy, which would you feel most comfortable be associated with?

Trump's White House renovations?

Or the Obama Library that is being constructed in Chicago at the direction of Barack Obama to house his presidential papers and legacy.

Source: https://www.obama.org/stories/construction-update-august-2025/

Here is another view of the Obama Library under construction.

Credit: https://x.com/CortesSteve/status/1947275365480865920

Is it just me that I think this looks more like a metropolitan corrections center than a legacy to an American President?

Or something the East Germans or Soviets would have built?

This is a rendering of what the Obama library is supposed to look like when it is finished at a cost of over $1 billion.

It is not quite as brutal to look at but it looks to me more like a Center for Islamic Studies or was designed and built by aliens who conquered our planet.

Source: https://www.obama.org/presidential-center/

Is there anything aspirational or inspirational at all in this building design?

Who is getting more for the money---Trump or Obama?

Which legacy are you willing to bet on for the future?

Trump or Obama?

I will leave it to you to guess where I come down on that question.