Seth Meyers on Trump's White House Gilded Hall Project: 'This Couldn't Be Any More of a Bait and Switch'
Comedy show presenters recently targeted the demolition of a historic section of the presidential residence and the business backers of a $300 million gilded ballroom project.
The 'Late Night' Host
During Thursday's broadcast of 'Late Night', Seth Meyers voiced shock over the administration's plan to construct a opulent event space. It's already troubling if Trump's main focus was just creating a self-aggrandizing structure for himself, but it’s so much worse,” he stated. “Because to accomplish it, he’s demolishing a historically significant and cherished landmark.”
The structure in question is the whole eastern section of the White House, which has stood for 120 years. “He’s tearing down the entire East Wing to build his unnecessary ballroom. Just consider this,” Meyers exclaimed. “This is like a sequel to Fixer Upper called a disastrous remake.”
“And of course, Trump also lied about this project.” Initially, he promised no destruction and said it would not affect the existing structure” because it would be “adjacent without contact”.
“So he basically promised to treat it like his marriage,” Meyers joked.
Trump said plans had changed following extensive research with top architectural experts in the world”.
“Oh yeah? Who was the architect you talked to, Godzilla?” Meyers retorted.
Outrage has been swift, if ineffective. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a letter the president saying that the addition would overwhelm the current residence and asked him to pause construction until the plans could be reviewed. “One, I couldn’t agree more with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” said Meyers. “And two, best wishes with that appeal.”
“This couldn’t be any more of a bait and switch,” he continued. “He won the election by claiming he was going to improve living costs for hardworking Americans, and currently he's destroying the White House to build himself a gilded vanity project.”
Stephen Colbert
By today the East Wing looked like a cooked poultry your dog got into,” said Stephen Colbert on his program. “It's disturbing to witness, I understand that, and you know the administration knows that,” since on Thursday, security personnel closed access to a public space where reporters were photographing the destruction process.
“Well that makes sense – if none of it is on camera, they can just claim the eastern wing met an unfortunate end,” Colbert quipped.
The host pointed out that it was “a lot of history being torn down”, as that section was built in 1902 and had been the headquarters for presidential spouses since the 1970s. “Actually, the former first lady was in the eastern part, and I truly wish they got her out because she’s often mistaken for a decorative lighting fixture,” Colbert remarked over an image of her more non-traditional outfits.
Trump has funded the expensive project with funding from eager businesses including major tech and entertainment firms. “And the president requires all the cash he can get,” said Colbert, as the projected expense has already risen from $250 million to over $300m, for a 8,400 sq-meter construction, exceeding the size of the current residence itself. “That’s about the same size as a professional soccer field,” Colbert noted. “So remember, companies, as you bribe the president: no hands.”
Comedy Central's Program
Meanwhile, on the Daily Show, a correspondent detailed the swift evolution of the project from proposal to execution. “Initially, he promised that it would be distinct from the current building and he wouldn’t touch the East Wing. That this construction would strictly be over the pants,” he summarized.
“Then this week, there was a minor adjustment when Trump ripped open the side of the East Wing like it had a collectible toy inside.”
By Thursday, the whole eastern part was demolished. “Events are unfolding rapidly,” he commented. “He has spent over a decade to deliver a healthcare plan, but in less than a week he’s demolished half the White House. Donny T, tell me this is going to end up looking good …”
Not quite – according to Trump’s own scale model presented in the Oval Office, the new hall will dwarf the current White House. “It resembles one of those crabs with the big arms, right?” Kosta chuckled. “I mean, I don’t know a lot about architecture. But I am familiar about overcompensating for a small penis.”