An analysis of the current events at the White House might seem redundant, but is still important as ever: another decision made by Trump that has not been approved by the correct institutions, is impacting the foundation of the United States, and is surprisingly closely tied together with Trump’s private business life. The demolition of the East Wing is not just a symbol for the ruins in which the White House and the American democratic system finds itself in general, but also for the specific history of the East Wing. The decision to remove the part of the White House that has historically been synonymous to female influence in the White House, the public’s way into the House, and the funding of the new ballroom, once again shows Trump’s disregard for the democratic systems and his disapproval of the American public.
Ever since the 1970s, the White House’s East Wing has hosted the office of the First Lady, a position made official by Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s. Before this, the First Lady was, apart from all domestic matters, unofficially responsible for ceremonial roles the president did not want to or could not concern himself with. Although First Lady is not a constitutional position, wives and women close to the President have a long history of taking on (mostly) social and health causes in need of a champion, such as Michelle Obama’s work against childhood obesity, and Laura Bush’s work on education and national parks. First Ladies are also seen as the closest perceived influence to the president in the White House. In a country that has been exclusively run by men, this traditionally female position has long been the only female representation in the White House. By putting a wrecking ball through this office, Trump confirms what his policies have long been saying: he does not care about women, and does not value their political and social impact. There is no place for high-level female influence in the White House, and Trump would like to get rid of any evidence that there ever was.
Apart from the office of the First Lady, the East Wing has also long served as both the symbolic and actual public’s gateway into the White House. Hosting the guest entrance, the only way in which ‘normal’ civilians can get a glimpse of the normally off-boundary world of power, the East Wing used to provide them with this opportunity. We have seen that Trump does not feel bad about disappointing the American public, and does not listen to their concerns and demands; not even when they are voiced through some of the biggest peaceful protests in American history. Taking away the public’s only way to physically see inside the place their votes are being taken into practice, is another symbolic way of showing his citizens that their opinion and presence does not value him. Trump does not represent the American citizens, and his run for the White House has shown itself to eventually just be a way to further his own agenda.
A less symbolic move by the president is to have his new ballroom, which will be built on the ruins of the East Wing, be funded by him personally, and by a plethora of tech and social media giants. Already at his inauguration, it became clear that Trump gave more political value to these giants than to his political advisors and opponents. By having companies like Apple, Meta, and Amazon fund a new part of the White House, their influence now seems cemented into the American power system. After Elon Musk’s run in the White House it became clear that Trump does not draw a line at partial advice or a partnership, and also does not hesitate to give away power to anyone he looks up to. Having the renovations of the Public’s House being funded by private donors, is not only ironic, but truly shows how the US democratic systems have failed, both morally and practically.
The sudden demolition of the East Wing has shocked the American public and regulating agencies. However, it is not the physical loss that is so important, it is everything that the East Wing used to stand for, and what Trump’s new ballroom will represent.
