In a dramatic display of his trademark flair for spectacle, U.S. President Donald Trump has kicked off a massive $250 million renovation project at the White House, beginning with the partial demolition of the East Wing. Construction crews were seen tearing down sections of the building on Monday as part of Trump’s plan to build a grand new presidential ballroom.

Speaking while hosting college baseball players at the White House, Trump remarked, “Right on the other side you have a lot of construction that you might hear occasionally.” Later that day, the 79-year-old president officially announced on Truth Social that work had begun on what he described as “a big, beautiful White House Ballroom.”

According to Trump, the East Wing will be “fully modernized” as part of the expansion. Traditionally, the East Wing houses the offices of the First Lady, while the President works in the West Wing and resides in the Executive Mansion.

The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests, is intended for large state dinners and other events that currently require outdoor tents. Trump emphasized that the project will be privately funded by “generous patriots, great American companies, and, yours truly,” noting that the ballroom will serve future generations.

Last week, Trump hosted a lavish donor dinner at the White House attended by executives from major firms including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin, as well as crypto entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

The ballroom project marks the most ambitious phase of Trump’s ongoing White House makeover since returning to office in January, a series of changes that also includes gold décor in the Oval Office and a redesigned Rose Garden. He has also proposed constructing a monumental arch in Washington, which some have dubbed the “Arc de Trump.”

source: Channels

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Following President Boakai’s brief remarks at the event, Trump turned to the visiting leader and asked, “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” The American president added, “Thank you, and such good English.”

President Boakai, a fluent English speaker and business graduate educated in Liberia, responded modestly, though his subdued tone and body language his face turned away from the press, suggested discomfort at the question.

Trump, seated among several Francophone West African leaders, continued with the commentary, remarking, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

Liberia, a country with deep historical ties to the United States, was founded in the 19th century by freed African Americans under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. Declaring independence in 1847, these settlers known as Americo-Liberians established a government that would dominate national politics for over a century.

Today, English remains the official language of Liberia and is used in government, education, and commerce. The nation is also home to a multitude of indigenous languages, including Kpelle the most widely spoken along with Mende and Kissi. President Boakai himself is literate in both Mende and Kissi, though he, like most Liberians, primarily communicates in English.

The exchange underscored cultural gaps and drew quiet criticism for its tone, highlighting the need for greater awareness in international diplomacy.

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