One of the defining characteristics of the modern Left is the daily meltdown. Whatever President Donald Trump does, night and day, whether it is innocuous or within his executive power, Democrats will unleash waves of histrionics and feigned fury. It has become insufferably boring, performative, and self-destructive. The hysteria only delegitimizes any credibility they may have on real issues.
On the heels of massive No Kings protests, in which Democrats across the nation marched to oppose norms they created, we have White House ballroom panic. After photos emerged of construction workers ripping down the entrance of the East Wing of the White House for a renovation, the Left acted as if Trump had kicked the first lady to the curb to build a personal casino.
“It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,” tweeted the melodramatic Hillary Clinton.
Some of us remember when the first couple rented out the people’s bedroom like some Old West tavern owners and then stole the people’s furniture and tableware on their way out of town. One imagines Trump will leave the ballroom behind for the next administration.
“Ripping apart the White House just like he’s ripping apart the Constitution,” presidential hopeful Gavin Newsom tweeted.
President John F. Kennedy’s niece Maria Shriver, who is apparently put off by Washington opulence, said, “This breaks my heart and it infuriates me. Hundreds of millions of dollars to build a new ballroom. Good god.”
Democrats are suddenly great stewards of the national purse.
Nearly every president has done some renovation to the White House. In this case, numerous companies and people pledged to chip in $200 million in private funds to build “The Donald J. Trump Ballroom at the White House” addition. The administration contends that there isn’t enough room for events, necessitating the use of tents outside to accommodate visitors. It seems to be a reasonable request.
Now, if your contention is that presidents should embrace a more unassuming, republican demeanor in Washington, I’m with you. Our habit of treating Washington as a sacred place goes against the values of the founders. We know, of course, that the anger about the ballroom has nothing to do with renewing our egalitarian virtues. If President Kamala Harris had built a new ballroom with private donations, we would be subjected to fawning stories about the new Camelot and deep dives on the elegant design. The Left loves power. It loves Washington. It loves big parties. It simply can’t live with the idea that it loses elections.
