Is the President King? The Multi-Million Dollar Makeover of Washington for America's 250th
By Dr. Delphine Aso WASHINGTON As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence this Fourth of July, the nation's capital is undergoing an extravagant, multi-million dollar transformation. Critics argue that President Donald Trump is blurring the line between national commemoration and personal branding, turning the historic anniversary into what one political scientist described as an "ego fest." A Staggering Price Tag for "Trump Town". From day one of his second term, Trump has been putting his mark on Washington D.C. in granite, gold, and oversized portraits, even at the Department of Justice, an institution traditionally independent from the presidency. The most significant and costly alterations have occurred at the White House itself. The historic Rose Garden has been paved over, the Oval Office filled with gilded decor, and the entire East Wing demolished to make way for a new ballroom. According to a Washington Post investigation ci...