WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report from the Joint Economic Committee estimates President Donald Trump’s makeovers of DC landmarks and monuments has cost taxpayers about $1.8 billion dollars. One Democratic Senator said that money could be spent elsewhere.
The President has demoed the White House’s East Wing to build a ballroom, remade the Rose Garden into a patio and installed a helipad. Millions have gone towards the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, where it’s been at the center of controversy over a no-bid contract, and the pool has not reopened due to issues from the makeover. Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand calls these “vanity projects” and said the President could spend that money elsewhere.
“1.8 billion dollars could pay for over 35 million tanks of gas,” said the Senator. “12 million electric bills. Medical costs for nearly 90-thousand veterans for nearly a year. Or that money could be used for Americans who are struggling to put food on the table through the skyrocketing grocery costs and the Trump administration’s cuts to food assistance.”
The President has argued he needed to renovate sites around DC because they needed upgrades and considered them to not be in the best condition. He demoed the East Wing for the new ballroom because he said they needed the space and for national security concerns.
