White House ballroom addition will serve many
The swimming pool, bowling alley and basketball court were additions to the White House for the sole benefit of the president, his family and inner circle. The ballroom will be used by politicians (who in theory represent the people) and their families, world leaders, visiting dignitaries and other Americans who are invited to the White House.
When will those critics with Trump Derangement Syndrome wake up?
Edgar Smith, West Des Moines
Ballroom reveals that Trump views his authority as absolute
Ancient dictators loved monuments to their own greatness, so they erected triumphal arches to celebrate their victories.
His 90,000-square-foot ballroom is President Donald Trump’s triumphal arch. It celebrates his subjugation of elite law firms, tech billionaires and the Republican Party. The fact that he has followed none of the rules governing changes to federal buildings demonstrates his belief that a narrow election win over Kamala Harris, and the Supreme Court’s decision effectively granting him immunity from prosecution, give him the power to do what he pleases.
Apparently, Trump thinks he now owns the people’s house–permanently. Trump claims the estimated $300 million cost of his vanity project will be paid by major tech and crypto corporations; therefore, no one else, including members of Congress or the public, should have any say in the matter.
The ballroom may also be Trump’s way of thumbing his nose at critics who have dared to make fun of his kitschy taste in décor. He is telling them that if he wants to, he could hang a gigantic tapestry of dogs playing poker in the Oval Office, and there is nothing they can do to stop him.
Jim Whalen, Des Moines
Republicans tacitly applaud Trump administration outrages
To the (Republican) members of Iowa’s congressional delegation:
Thank you for continually reminding me that Democrats are killing our democracy. Meanwhile, in just the past few days (!), your administration has done the following, from the ridiculous though appalling to the unconscionable to the potentially illegal:
And you have responded with … crickets. Cowardice. Complicity.
Kathleen Richardson, Des Moines
Lie after lie from Trump and his staff
Does anyone remember the last time that President Donald Trump actually told the truth about anything? His poll numbers, grocery prices, the economy, his relationship with our allies, the tariff wars and who pays the tariffs, his Big Beautiful Bill, health care changes, climate change, green energy, the wars he supposedly has stopped, how he is handling Vladimir Putin, the Ukraine war, and on and on. Even his Cabinet members routinely lie as they face congressional committees even when they are supposedly under oath. He seems to jump from one revenge issue to another. One of these days our whole government is going to come crashing down in one autocratic heap and hopefully we will have enough representatives with enough common sense left to realize what is happening and start doing their jobs and save what is left.
Duane Mortensen, Ankeny
Missing the point
Marie Antoinette to the French peasants: “Let them eat cake!”
Donald Trump to Iowa soybean farmers: “You’re gonna love my new ballroom!”
Mike Miller, Windsor Heights
Who’s abusing whom?
In his news release, Sen. Chuck Grassley says he’s receiving complaints of “repeated failures to honor contracts and deliberate attempts at fraud.” This quote was part of an article about The Knot wedding website. But I think it better fits a description of the federal government and its treatment of Iowans.
Susan Mrzena, Winterset
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: White House ballroom addition is a welcome upgrade that will serve many | Letters
Reporting by The Register’s readers / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
