Editor,
This letter is in response to Mr Zinovy Fichtenholz’s letter “Who owns the White House?” concerning historical construction changes to the White House in Washington.
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Cloudy with occasional rain late. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Updated: November 12, 2025 @ 9:19 am
Editor,
This letter is in response to Mr Zinovy Fichtenholz’s letter “Who owns the White House?” concerning historical construction changes to the White House in Washington.
You are correct through the years different presidents have made changes to the interior of the White House funded by either our taxes or private donations. In researching your list I found President Obama did not “build” a basketball court but repurposed an existing tennis court and paid for it himself. Biden did over see upgrades the Situation Room to allow modern communication abilities using taxpayer money.
President Trump has taken this process in a much different direction. First he lied. In a press conference he stated that the new banquet room would be free standing. He assured the American public the ballroom construction would not alter the current footprint of the White House.
The demolition was done without the required support of departments with control of “The People’s House.” No permits, plans or cost were offered prior to demolition. You went on to state your surprise with Mr. Cotchett’s lack of knowledge based on his profession. I failed to see the connection but I don’t know either of you so there might be issues the readers of the Journal don’t know.
We have to stop trying to normalize President Trump’s actions. He has no respect for the history or preservation of our Capital. There is no one, or thing, that is not directly affected by President Trump’s action and words. No one in his orbit goes unscathed. The shame is apparent and it is our sitting president.
Maggie Freydoz
Belmont
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(3) comments
Hey folks look at the bright side. We still have two-thirds of the building still standing. Perhaps the "Trump Entity" will leave us two-thirds of the constitution intact as well? Say he might get rid of the first few "inalienable rights", such as Freedom of Speech and Religion, and have some of his corporate "doners" replace them with something more to their liking? Free of charge to the nation of course. What could possibly go wrong?
Thanks for your manufactured outrage, Ms. Freydoz, but I’d venture a guess that more folks are concerned about treasonous Obama and Biden’s actions to prevent our (yes, our) great President Trump from becoming President, twice. But if the most important criticism you have of Trump is the “free” Big Beautiful Ballroom, go for it. We all know shame is apparent due to the treachery of Obama and Biden and their supporters. Have a Trump-tastic day!
Hello Maggie - why not turn this around and view the new addition as an improvement to the White House facilities? No matter how much you view this as a negative, why not follow Mr. Thom's advice and laud the beauty of this improvement. The ballroom is going to be built regardless of your TDS affliction and most visitors to the WH will surely be impressed. Your understanding of "shame" may need a recalibration. And, as an aside, Mr. Crotchett's blather proved again that education and age do not necessarily result in wisdom.
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