Ionic Columns in front of the White House could be replaced with more decorative Corinthian columns akin to those at the Supreme Court, according to a report.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., the Trump-appointed head of the Commission of Fine Arts, a panel that advises the president on design issues, wants to use the more ornate decorations at the White House, the Washington Post reported.
A White House spokesperson told The Washington Post that while Trump prefers Corinthian columns, there are no plans to change the columns outside the White House. Newsweek reached out to the White House by email to comment on this story.
Both types of column originated in Ancient Greek classical architecture.
Why It Matters
Trump’s changes to the White House, especially the renovation of the East Wing, have proved contentious, with some supporters celebrating the move and noting that other presidents have also altered the property, while others have raised concerns that the alterations are unnecessary and harm a historical landmark.
The White House has said the renovations have been funded privately and will not use taxpayer money.
What To Know
“Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that’s what our other two branches of government have,” Cook said, according to the Washington Post. “Why the White House didn’t originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me.”
Meanwhile, the publication—citing two anonymous sources—said Trump has spoken about using Corinthian columns for new government buildings and the White House mansion. Newsweek has not been able to independently verify this report.
It comes after Trump created a “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the West Wing Colonnade with pictures of past presidents on the wall, except Joe Biden. Instead of featuring his Democratic predecessor, Trump placed a picture of an autopen, appearing to reference Trump’s allegation that Biden wasn’t making decisions at the end of his term in office.
He also decided to demolish the East Wing to create a new ballroom that could accommodate nearly 1,000 people at a seated event. He had criticized the previous space for being too small for hosting international dignitaries and not fitting the formality of White House events.
Construction of the ballroom has faced legal hurdles, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation filing a lawsuit claiming Trump had ignored rules requiring Congressional approval and oversight of changes to the historic building.
Trump also added gold details to internal and external walls, installed new flagpoles on both lawns, and replaced the grass in the Rose Garden with a stone patio. He has also renovated the bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom, changing the art deco green tiles to black-and-white marble.
What People Are Saying
White House communications director Steven Cheung, in a post on X in October: “Construction has always been a part of the evolution of the White House. Losers who are quick to criticize need to stop their pearl clutching and understand the building needs to be modernized.”
What Happens Next
It is unclear whether these plans will materialize. Meanwhile, plans for the ballroom have been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which oversees development affecting federal land and prominent sites in Washington D.C.
