Well... it's Trump... again. #47, here we go.

[Shadowy Man]

So the ballroom... any private donations to pay for it?

Five months after the demolition of the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump claimed that the project to construct a massive ballroom and a bunker in its place would cost up to $400 million and that private donors would pay for all of it.

...

But a detailed project summary prepared for the White House by the contractor more than three weeks before Trump’s comments estimated the total construction cost at $600 million — with more than half coming from taxpayers, according to a copy of the contractor estimate obtained by The Washington Post.

This is what I think is critical.

White House officials received a preliminary estimate, dated July 11, projecting that construction would cost $270 million, with over $100 million coming from taxpayers through the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, the records show.

Emails from that time show that administration officials planned to use $3.6 million of Secret Service money to cover initial expenses for site preparation before demolition.

If private donations are paying for this, why did initial expenses need to be paid with public money? That indicates there is no pool of private donations, and that Trump was likely 'counting' on money that may or may never be donated. These assholes tore down the east wing of the White House to build something with money they never had. Which is probably why Trump wanted the GOP to pass $1 billion for "security" spending on the ballroom because the "money" from "donations" was never going to exist.

Art of the Deal, Baby!!

 

[bilby]

What Trump has done to the White House is, all on its own, more than sufficient to justify life in prison.

If it had been done by any other terrorist, it would be the worst attack on the USA since 9/11.

And he didn't seek any kind of permission from the people before destroying their property; There are processes to allow presidents to make alterations to the White House, but (typically) he ignored them all.

 

[laughing dog]

So the ballroom... any private donations to pay for it?

Five months after the demolition of the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump claimed that the project to construct a massive ballroom and a bunker in its place would cost up to $400 million and that private donors would pay for all of it.

...

But a detailed project summary prepared for the White House by the contractor more than three weeks before Trump’s comments estimated the total construction cost at $600 million — with more than half coming from taxpayers, according to a copy of the contractor estimate obtained by The Washington Post.

This is what I think is critical.

White House officials received a preliminary estimate, dated July 11, projecting that construction would cost $270 million, with over $100 million coming from taxpayers through the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, the records show.

Emails from that time show that administration officials planned to use $3.6 million of Secret Service money to cover initial expenses for site preparation before demolition.

If private donations are paying for this, why did initial expenses need to be paid with public money? That indicates there is no pool of private donations, and that Trump was likely 'counting' on money that may or may never be donated. These assholes tore down the east wing of the White House to build something with money they never had. Which is probably why Trump wanted the GOP to pass $1 billion for "security" spending on the ballroom because the "money" from "donations" was never going to exist.

I am shocked, shocked that Trump lied.

 

[ZiprHead]

 

[Tigers!]

View attachment 54511

Can't see Epstein.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

What Trump has done to the White House is, all on its own, more than sufficient to justify life in prison.

If it had been done by any other terrorist, it would be the worst attack on the USA since 9/11.

And he didn't seek any kind of permission from the people before destroying their property; There are processes to allow presidents to make alterations to the White House, but (typically) he ignored them all.

Trump reaped the most destruction on the White House since the British in 1812. Without any authority or money to pay for the demo or the proposed improvement.

And the GOP yawned. The Democrats passed health insurance coverage in Congress and it was casted as tyranny by the GOP.

 

[Elixir]

Few things are as spot on as the metaphor - now a hard cold reality - of Trump creating a swamp in Washington DC.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Okay, enough about the pool. DC has been struggling with leaks and algae for decades in the reflection pool. That Trump took a victory lap for solving the problem the day it was completed makes him look silly, but algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

 

[Elixir]

algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

But spending 14 million taxpayer dollars for MORE of it, THAT is new (afaik).

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

But spending 14 million taxpayer dollars for MORE of it, THAT is new (afaik).

But Obama spent a bunch more to little avail as well. The issue is Trump was parading how awesome he was 24 minutes after it was filled... and then *bloom*.

 

[Elixir]

But Obama spent a bunch more to little avail as well.

Uh, mostly that was to fix structural issues, not to grift his pal with a triple-priced cheap paint job.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

But Obama spent a bunch more to little avail as well.

Uh, mostly that was to fix structural issues, not to grift his pal with a triple-priced cheap paint job.

The paint job was stupid. But Trump is fucking up way too much more stuff than the reflection pool.

 

[ZiprHead]

Okay, enough about the pool. DC has been struggling with leaks and algae for decades in the reflection pool. That Trump took a victory lap for solving the problem the day it was completed makes him look silly, but algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

Some of that "leaking" was intentional. Then fresh water would replace the water that leaked keaping the water cleaner. Painting and sealing the bottom in a dark color just made the water warmer and much more prone to algae bloom.

 

[ZiprHead]

Okay, enough about the pool. DC has been struggling with leaks and algae for decades in the reflection pool. That Trump took a victory lap for solving the problem the day it was completed makes him look silly, but algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

Some of that "leaking" was intentional. Then fresh water would replace the water that leaked keaping the water cleaner. Painting and sealing the bottom in a dark color just made the water warmer and much more prone to algae bloom.

From Threads:

I clean actual swimming pools for a living. This will not work. The reflection pool used to act much like a natural body of water with natural filtration. It would (leak) drain through the granite and new water was added. Now it’s been “sealed” with polyurethane and will no longer drain itself and the standing water will grow even MORE algae. With circulation and filtration added, it will no longer be a reflecting pool. Only still water perfectly reflects. It’s ruined.

 

[bilby]

Can't they just drain the water and install an actual mirror?

 

[crazyfingers]

Okay, enough about the pool. DC has been struggling with leaks and algae for decades in the reflection pool. That Trump took a victory lap for solving the problem the day it was completed makes him look silly, but algae in shallow pools of water in the heat isn't some sort of Trump invention.

Some of that "leaking" was intentional. Then fresh water would replace the water that leaked keaping the water cleaner. Painting and sealing the bottom in a dark color just made the water warmer and much more prone to algae bloom.

From Threads:

I clean actual swimming pools for a living. This will not work. The reflection pool used to act much like a natural body of water with natural filtration. It would (leak) drain through the granite and new water was added. Now it’s been “sealed” with polyurethane and will no longer drain itself and the standing water will grow even MORE algae. With circulation and filtration added, it will no longer be a reflecting pool. Only still water perfectly reflects. It’s ruined.

They need 6 million snails and other critters that will eat the algae.

 

[ideologyhunter]

Or George Santos. He'd do it, surely.

 

[robnisch]

OK. As much as I hate tRump I must say all the talk about his health and age is just more distraction from the real issue
Pool guys say this would happen no matter who did it. The $14mil would have been better spent on a new filtration system!!
Nano oxidation is the latest tech.
His old I am old. But, I know I could have made better plans.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

So the ballroom... any private donations to pay for it?

Five months after the demolition of the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump claimed that the project to construct a massive ballroom and a bunker in its place would cost up to $400 million and that private donors would pay for all of it.

...

But a detailed project summary prepared for the White House by the contractor more than three weeks before Trump’s comments estimated the total construction cost at $600 million — with more than half coming from taxpayers, according to a copy of the contractor estimate obtained by The Washington Post.

This is what I think is critical.

White House officials received a preliminary estimate, dated July 11, projecting that construction would cost $270 million, with over $100 million coming from taxpayers through the Secret Service and the White House Military Office, the records show.

Emails from that time show that administration officials planned to use $3.6 million of Secret Service money to cover initial expenses for site preparation before demolition.

If private donations are paying for this, why did initial expenses need to be paid with public money? That indicates there is no pool of private donations, and that Trump was likely 'counting' on money that may or may never be donated. These assholes tore down the east wing of the White House to build something with money they never had. Which is probably why Trump wanted the GOP to pass $1 billion for "security" spending on the ballroom because the "money" from "donations" was never going to exist.

Art of the Deal, Baby!!

The one thing I never understand about the attempted Press Dinner attack was why Trump pivoted so darn quickly to the Ballroom. And it has now dawned on me that he or someone savvy in his immediate circle saw an opportunity to get Congress to act on a spending bill to pay for the Ballroom that had zero funds to actually pay for it. Which is why it was a nice round $1 billion number... "for security", because the Trump Admin was using Secret Service funds to pay for the site work.

 

[thebeave]

View attachment 54511

Who's the guy in back right? And I guess that's Melania on the right...could be better. The others looks passable, though Trump himself looks a little thinner than IRL. And how is it that Melania is apparently sitting on the bottom, but Marco Rubio is practically up to his neck directly behind her? I mean, I know he's short but...holy cow. At least they all have the right number of fingers.

At any rate, since we've decided that algae in the Reflecting Pool is a big deal, the picture needs to be updated to include Barack & Michelle, Joe Biden and Hillary lounging in the pool as well. From the Washington Post in 2012:

Agency works to rid Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool of algae

Less than a month after reopening, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is full of algae, a sea of green overshadowing the nearly two-year, $34 million renovation of the famous site.

The National Park Service anticipated a “break-in period” in which problems would need to be addressed, spokeswoman Carol Johnson said, but no one expected the amount of algae that is there now.