The White House underwent major renovations over the past 17 days — during the time President Donald Trump spent at his Bedminister, New Jersey golf resort on a working vacation.
The renovations included an overhaul of the White House’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, as well as upgrades to the building’s IT system, mess hall and outdoor spaces. They also included some basic cosmetic upgrades, like new carpeting, fresh paint, and the addition of several golden eagle sculptures, according to Business Insider.
The cost shouldn’t be fodder for partisan debate: the renovations were approved during the Obama administration.
Trump himself picked out the new wallpaper for the Oval Office, and wants to design a new rug, according to Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs. One official told reporters that Trump wanted to “bring back the luster and glory of the White House.”
The White House has been having issues for years, including ceiling leaks and houseflies. Back in 2009, a video of Obama killing a fly inside the White House went viral and this year, Trump reportedly made his chief of staff kill one as well.
Trump reportedly told staffers and members of his New Jersey golf resort that his home for the next four years was a “real dump,” though he denied those remarks later through a tweet.
I love the White House, one of the most beautiful buildings (homes) I have ever seen. But Fake News said I called it a dump – TOTALLY UNTRUE
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2017
Check out the pictures of the renovations below.
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