Since the published date of this article, President Donald Trump has been in office for 280 days. Not only has his existence been extraordinarily expensive for the United States Secret Service, but his propensity to renovate the White House has already racked up a bill of $1.75 million so that its aesthetic could suit his taste.
$1.75 Million For What?
Records from the General Services Administration dedicates transparency by showcasing how much a sitting president spends on furniture, wallpaper, bookcases, and other furnishings in their quest to renovate the 55,000 square foot mansion and surrounding buildings. Interestingly enough, Trump used funds to purchase a table that was initially made for President Richard Nixon in 1969 – a president who also had a malignant relationship with the media and was eventually ousted.
Keep in mind that any president that is moving in would be expected to change different aspects of the building to make it more convenient for themselves, staff, and to the First Family. However, the stipend typically caps at about $100,000. Trump has quickly surpassed that.
It was alleged that President Trump once called the White House a “dump” while also calling it a “beautiful building” in the same breath. Some of the funds were used to repair the building’s air conditioning system and infrastructure. He also bought a flat-screen TV, a crystal chandelier, and wallpaper design with flowers and leaves on it.
Even though some may scrutinize this incredulous spending, the White House represents the accumulation of presidents that have stepped in its halls throughout American history. For example, Franklin Roosevelt purchased and installed an indoor pool in 1933, with Gerald Ford requesting an outdoor pool in 1975. During Bill Clinton’s tenure at the White House in 1983, he decided to renovate the kitchen. Many of these elements are still visible in the White House today.
Featured image via Wikimedia
