Trump to Build Banquet Hall at White House...Controversy Over Forcing Corporate Donations [Sisa Show]

Super-Luxurious Banquet Hall Construction Exceeding 350 Billion Won
Trump’s Approval Ratings Plunge...Crisis Looms Ahead of Midterm Elections

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show'

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop

■ Director: Producer Lee Miri

■ Guest: Reporter Lee Hyunwoo

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked outrage across American society by pushing forward with a project to demolish the East Wing of the White House and build a massive banquet hall in its place. The construction, which is being carried out without congressional approval, is planned to be funded by corporate donations. However, the fact that an ultra-luxurious banquet hall costing more than 350 billion won is being built during a government shutdown has ignited public anger in the United States.

Trump to Build Banquet Hall for Large-Scale Events: "The White House Is Too Small"

On the 22nd (local time), the East Wing of the White House is being demolished to construct a banquet hall. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The East Wing, constructed in 1902 during the White House expansion, was remodeled once in 1942 during World War II for security reasons, but has never undergone any further renovation or expansion since. President Trump's decision to suddenly push ahead with a large-scale project that no previous president attempted is rooted in his unique event-hosting style.

Unlike other presidents, President Trump is known for inviting hundreds of sports teams and citizens at once to host large-scale events. Believing the White House is too cramped, President Trump announced plans to remodel the East Wing into a massive banquet hall that could accommodate about 999 people at a time. The issue is that these buildings are not just offices, but also American cultural heritage sites. Congress has a special committee dedicated to the maintenance of the White House, and any such construction requires congressional approval. However, President Trump is being criticized for completely ignoring these procedures and forcing the project through.

The White House has released press materials insisting that the East Wing has frequently undergone repairs and that the White House itself has seen many renovations, maintaining that this is not a special case. However, as the U.S. government has been in a shutdown for more than two weeks, the forced push for this construction is drawing even harsher criticism.

The construction is expected to take at least until the end of next year, with costs estimated at 250 million dollars, or over 350 billion won. Public opinion is boiling over the idea of remodeling the White House at such enormous expense while the government is shut down due to the failure to pass a budget. Nevertheless, President Trump continues to insist that this project is extremely important and is pushing ahead.

Particularly controversial is the image of the banquet hall released by the White House after the construction announcement. The design resembles a banquet hall found in European royal palaces, featuring a Baroque style with white and gold accents symbolizing European royalty and imperial families. It is reportedly modeled after the banquet hall of Louis XIV, the absolute monarch of 17th-century France, which has further fueled public outrage.

As a result, 'NO Kings' protests have erupted in over 2,600 locations across the United States, with more than five million participants reported. Chants that "there is no need for a king" are echoing nationwide, criticizing President Trump for acting like a monarch.

With the midterm elections coming up next November, it is reported that even within the Republican Party there is significant concern. However, the White House continues to repeat its claim that the construction is absolutely necessary. The White House has even stated that the venue is so cramped that tents have to be set up outside for public events, but such remarks have only further inflamed public sentiment. Amid escalating tariff disputes and inflation, public fatigue is growing, and news of an ultra-luxurious banquet hall at the White House appears to have triggered an explosion of discontent.

"Only Corporate Donations, No Taxes" ... Controversy over Quasi-Compulsory Contributions

AP Yonhap News

President Trump has stated that no taxpayer money will be used and that corporate donations will cover the construction costs, but this too has become a major controversy. Recently, the White House invited American business leaders to a dinner and requested donations for the project. Major U.S. corporations such as Apple, Amazon, and Lockheed Martin were invited, and it is reported that a list of "expansion donor companies" will even be engraved in the banquet hall.

The problem is that all these companies have supply contracts or cooperative projects with the U.S. government. It has been reported that they were threatened with the cancellation of these contracts if they did not donate, effectively making the contributions quasi-compulsory. Furthermore, the controversy has intensified because the list was made and released even before the companies themselves had a chance to express willingness to donate.

There is widespread criticism over whether it is appropriate for the U.S. president to receive hundreds of billions of won in donations under the pretext of renovating a banquet hall. Some companies have expressed willingness to donate, but it is being pointed out that their motivation is to build connections with President Trump or high-ranking White House officials.

Even more concerning is that President Trump's construction of this banquet hall may not simply be for large-scale events. During his first term, President Trump was accused of holding many events at banquet halls in hotels he owned, inviting business leaders and high-ranking foreign officials, and engaging in lobbying activities. Investigations by prosecutors were underway until just before his election victory, which prevented him from holding such events for a time, and the hotel in question was sold.

However, if a massive banquet hall is built directly in the White House, there are concerns that President Trump could invite business leaders at will and that large-scale lobbying could take place. There are fears not only of collusion between politics and business, but also that even matters related to national security could be sold to foreign interests.

Trump's Approval Ratings Plummet ... Red Alert for Next Year's Midterms

Protesters of the so-called 'NO Kings' anti-government demonstration held in Los Angeles, USA. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Amid these controversies, the sharp decline in President Trump's approval ratings is drawing the most attention in U.S. political circles. After enjoying approval ratings close to 50-60% early in his term, President Trump's support has recently dropped to 40%, with some polls showing it as low as 37%. This is the lowest approval rating across both his first and second terms.

With the government shutdown compounding the impact of the tariff war and inflation, news of the ultra-luxurious banquet hall construction has led to many of his previous supporters abandoning him. Concerns are growing that the U.S. economy is in crisis, and the prolonged tariff war is directly affecting the public. As both inflation and unemployment rates rise, the real economy is worsening, yet the government shutdown means there is not even proper management.

When the Trump administration began, there were high expectations that the U.S. economy would improve significantly since the Republican Party controlled both the House and Senate. However, rather than improving, the economy is regressing, and there are predictions that the midterm elections could see a reversal of fortunes. If approval ratings continue to plummet, there is even cautious talk within the Republican Party about considering an alternative to Trump.

However, among Republican supporters, President Trump's approval rating still exceeds 80%, which is expected to provide some defense. Yet, if he continues to pursue unilateral policies disconnected from public sentiment, even this core base could erode, potentially ending the Republican Party's dominance.

President Trump enjoys solid support from the Republican hardline base, but is widely seen as having failed to attract moderates or Democratic supporters. With the midterm elections approaching next year, his low approval ratings are expected to have various impacts, and whether this will lead to policy changes is being closely watched. What is clear is that the construction of the White House banquet hall is leaving a very negative impression on the American public.