Late-Night Hosts Critique Trump's Gilded Ballroom Plans

Late-Night TV Roundup: Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert Tackle Trump’s Controversial Project

In a recent episode of Late Night, Seth Meyers took aim at Donald Trump’s ambitious plans for a lavish ballroom in the White House, which involves the demolition of the historic East Wing. Meyers expressed his incredulity about the project, labeling it as a troubling symbol of vanity and excess.

Meyers’ Disbelief Over the Gilded Ballroom

"It would be bad enough if Trump’s biggest priority was just building a gilded vanity project for himself, but it’s so much worse," Meyers remarked. His concerns stem from the fact that this initiative requires demolishing a cherished structure that has stood for over 120 years. "He’s tearing down the entire East Wing to build his stupid ballroom. I mean, look at this!" he exclaimed. "This is like a sequel to Fixer Upper called Fucked Upper."

The Broken Promises

Meyers didn't hold back as he recalled Trump's earlier assurances when announcing the project. "He promised no demolition and claimed it wouldn’t interfere with the current building because it would be 'near it but not touching it.'" The host humorously added, "So he basically promised to treat it like his marriage." Trump later claimed that plans had changed after extensive consultations with top architects. Meyers quipped, "Oh yeah? Who was the architect you talked to, Godzilla?"

Swift Outrage and Historic Preservation Concerns

Reactions to the demolition have come swiftly, though they seem to have had little impact. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a letter to Trump, expressing that the construction would overwhelm the existing structure and requested a pause in the project for a review of the plans. Meyers agreed with their stance, saying, "One, I couldn’t agree more with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. And two, good luck with your letter." He further lamented, "This couldn’t be any more of a bait and switch. Trump got elected by claiming he was going to make life more affordable for hardworking Americans, and now he’s demolishing the White House to build himself a gilded vanity project."

Colbert’s Take on the Situation

On the Late Show, Stephen Colbert also weighed in on the demolition, commenting, "As of this morning, the East Wing looked like a rotisserie chicken your dog got into." He acknowledged the disturbing nature of the scene and noted that the Secret Service had restricted access to the Ellipse park, where journalists had been documenting the demolition. "Well, that makes sense – if none of it is on camera, they can just claim the East Wing hanged itself in prison," Colbert joked.

A Loss of History

Colbert expressed concern over the historical significance of the East Wing, which was constructed in 1902 and has served as the headquarters for presidential spouses since the Carter administration. He humorously remarked about Melania Trump, saying, "In fact, Melania was in the East Wing, and I certainly hope they got her out of there because she’s often mistaken for a beautiful floor lamp."

Funding from Major Corporations

The financial backing for Trump’s extravagant ballroom, referred to by Meyers as a "ball-doggle," comes from a host of corporate sponsors, including major players like Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Google, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Meta Platforms, and Hard Rock International.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

The ongoing demolition of the East Wing for Trump’s ballroom project has sparked outrage and disbelief among late-night hosts and the general public alike. As Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert have pointed out, this venture not only highlights the former president’s penchant for vanity but also raises significant concerns about the preservation of American history. The juxtaposition of lavish spending against a backdrop of historical destruction serves as a cautionary tale regarding priorities in leadership.