Donald Trump ballroom building persevered with cranes and noise throughout King’s arrival
The US President is so desperate to build a ballroom on the side of the White House that he didn’t even shut down construction for the arrival of the King
Trump is desperate to get his vanity ballroom built(Image: Getty Images)
Donald Trump is so desperate to build a ballroom on the side of the White House that he didn’t even shut down construction for the arrival of the King.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were given a huge ceremonial reception on the grounds of the White House this afternoon, complete with brass bands and a military inspection.
But behind the pomp and ceremony, huge cranes were seen in motion throughout the arrival.
And the New York Times reported the sounds of construction for the ballroom, intended to replace the East Wing of the iconic building, which Trump demolished to the shock of many in Washington, were still audible while Trump was giving his speech.
The Trump administration is embroiled in a court battle over his ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), a Congress mandated but privately funded group – filed a lawsuit and was granted an injunction that halted construction because he needed congressional approval to build it. Earlier this month an appeals panel ruled that construction could continue while the lawsuit proceeds.
And this morning the administration submitted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely, describing the NTHP as “FAKE” and arguing it is “very bad for our country”. The bizarre document – written in a similar style to Trump’s Truth Social posts – occasionally drifts into ALL CAPS, arguing for example that the ballroom is being given “FREE OF CHARGE AS A GIFT TO THE COUNTRY!”. Elsewhere it argues “DONALD J TRUMP” is a “highly successful real estate developer, who has abilities that others don’t, especially those who assume the Office of the President”. It accuses the NTHP of having “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME”, and claims their attorneys as “the lawyers for Barack Hussain Obama” – both terms Trump frequently uses in his online rants.
Trump’s speech welcoming King Charles saw him largely on his best behaviour, mostly sticking to prepared remarks.
His tone was noticeably different on the subject of cooperation between the UK and US armed forces in World War II.
“Together our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilisation under twin banners of red, white and blue,” Trump said in his speech outside the White House.
Which is slightly more respectful of the UK’s contribution than his remarks last May, when he said: “We did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II…We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance”
Later, King Charles will address both houses of Congress – but due to congressional protocol, the President won’t be allowed to attend, a rule Trump is clearly not happy with.
“He’s going to be addressing congress, and I’m going to be watching,” Trump said – before veering from the prepared remarks for a moment. “I was thinking of going, but they said ‘I don’t know, that might be a step too far’. It’s not supposed to be protocol but I would love to be with you.”
And Trump proudly declared his mother and father were married for 63 years – before making a joke about his own mortality.
“That’s not a record we’re going to be able to match, darling,” he said to wife Melania. “I’m sorry, just not going to work out that way.”
Mrs Trump did not appear to react to the joke – which was a strange echo of the joke TV host Jimmy Kimmel made last week, describing Mrs Trump as an “expectant widow”. Kimmel’s joke prompted anger from the Trump administration in the wake of Saturday’s attempt on Trump’s life, with Mrs Trump and others demanding Kimmel be sacked.
