Why provide food aid when you can go dancing in a gold-gilded royal ballroom?

C

Cypress

Well-known member

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry​

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief.

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www.theguardian.com

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
Cypress said:

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry​

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief.

3000.jpg


www.theguardian.com

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
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It was disgusting, but they don’t care.
 
Among Trump's problems is the inability to assign importance to issues. The people are afraid of what is coming if he decides policy. A grand gold huge ballroom, tearing down the East Room and damaging the walls of the White House, are among the things that only he cares about.
Is that what you Trumpys were voting for?
Another shutdown, like his first admin. Is that what you wanted? Trump uses shutdowns. He thinks he can gain powers and get his way by making the people suffer if he does not get his way, immediately. You will vote for Project 2025 policies, or I will make the small people suffer until you do.
His tariffs are profoundly stupid. It is very difficult to find an economist who approves. His tariffs are done in his natural bullying style. Do what I want or I will hurt your country through trade policies.
Trump's demeaning attitude is pissing off our allies and boosting our foes. Chiona is gathering partners all over the globe while we piss off everyone, even our closest neighbors.
 
Nordberg said:
Among Trump's problems is the inability to assign importance to issues. The people are afraid of what is coming if he decides policy. A grand gold huge ballroom, tearing down the East Room and damaging the walls of the White House, are among the things that only he cares about.
Is that what you Trumpys were voting for?
Another shutdown, like his first admin. Is that what you wanted? Trump uses shutdowns. He thinks he can gain powers and get his way by making the people suffer if he does not get his way, immediately. You will vote for Project 2025 policies, or I will make the small people suffer until you do.
His tariffs are profoundly stupid. It is very difficult to find an economist who approves. His tariffs are done in his natural bullying style. Do what I want or I will hurt your country through trade policies.
Trump's demeaning attitude is pissing off our allies and boosting our foes. Chiona is gathering partners all over the globe while we piss off everyone, even our closest neighbors.
Click to expand...
He threw himself a $46 million birthday parade.

I heard he built an extravagant marble bathroom in the Lincoln Room.
 
Cypress said:
Yeah, that sounds exactly like Lincoln
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Abraham Lincoln approved at least one federal project that involved the use of marble: the 1864 designation of the former House chamber in the U.S. Capitol as National Statuary Hall.

This project repurposed the space to display up to two bronze or marble sculptures from each state honoring distinguished deceased Americans.

The renovation, budgeted at $15,000, used leftover marble from the Capitol's recent expansion and an old Library of Congress railing.

Lincoln signed the authorizing legislation on July 2, 1864.

The U.S. Capitol's broader expansion during his presidency (1851–1867, with key work from 1856–1866) included extensive marble, such as in the House and Senate extensions, grand staircases, and chambers.

Other 19th-century federal buildings, like the Treasury or Post Office, extensively used marble, too

Lincoln supported its continuation during the Civil War as a symbol of Union resilience, stating in 1863, "If people see the Capitol going on, it is a sign we intend the Union shall go on."

While the new cast-iron dome itself did not feature marble, the overall project did.

For gilded fixtures, Lincoln's White House renovations (paid for via congressional appropriation) included gilded elements like cornices and fringe on draperies.
 
Cypress said:

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry​

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief.
Click to expand...


Fun fact: President Trump didn't cut food aid for those on low incomes.

Because he' not a king, President Trump cannot unilaterally force Senate Democrats (or any senators) to vote for cloture, which requires a 60-vote supermajority under Senate rules to end debate and advance a bill. This procedural barrier has been central to the ongoing impasse, directly contributing to the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, and the resulting lapse in November SNAP benefits.

House (Republican-majority) passed a clean CR on September 19 to fund the government through November 21, and again on September 30 to fund the government through March 2026 at current levels, explicitly including SNAP. However, Senate Democrats, holding 47 seats against the GOP's 53, filibustered the bill, demanding amendments.

Some Republicans, like Sen. Josh Hawley (MO), proposed standalone SNAP funding bills with Democrat co-sponsors, but these also stalled without cloture. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused.
 
Cypress said:

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry​

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief.

3000.jpg


www.theguardian.com

The luxury gap: Trump builds his palace as Americans face going hungry

Schmoozing the super-rich to fund a $300m ballroom while cutting food aid for those on low incomes threw the president’s architectural folly into sharp relief
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
Click to expand...
Privately funded as a gift to Americans....not the same as the taxpayer-funded, fraud- plagued SNAP program....
  • Identified Fraud Rate (Historical): Historically, identified fraud as a percentage of total benefits paid has been low, with one report from 2016 placing the rate at less than 1% (0.9%), which was up from 0.5% in 2012.
  • Benefit Trafficking: The illegal sale of SNAP benefits for cash (trafficking) has been significantly reduced over the years, from an estimated 4% down to about 1% due to the implementation of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and improved monitoring.
  • Stolen Benefits (Card Skimming/Cloning): Benefit theft, primarily through EBT card skimming and cloning, has increased dramatically. Between the final quarter of FY 2024 and the first quarter of FY 2025, fraudulent transactions jumped by 55%. Since the second quarter of FY 2023, over $100 million in stolen benefits have been replaced by the federal government.
  • Expert Estimates of Total Fraud: Some experts outside the government, such as those from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, estimate that a much higher percentage—potentially as much as 20% of the total annual budget, or $25 billion annually—is lost to various forms of fraud, including identity and eligibility fraud.
 
Nordberg said:
Among Trump's problems is the inability to assign importance to issues. The people are afraid of what is coming if he decides policy. A grand gold huge ballroom, tearing down the East Room and damaging the walls of the White House, are among the things that only he cares about.
Is that what you Trumpys were voting for?
Click to expand...
:blah:
Nordberg said:
Another shutdown, like his first admin. Is that what you wanted?
Click to expand...
There's a shutdown? I haven't even noticed anything different...
Nordberg said:
Trump uses shutdowns.
Click to expand...
Trump is not CONgress.
Nordberg said:
He thinks he can gain powers and get his way by making the people suffer if he does not get his way, immediately.
Click to expand...
You are describing the Demonkkkrat Party.
Nordberg said:
You will vote for Project 2025 policies, or I will make the small people suffer until you do.
Click to expand...
You will empty your pockets to fund illegal alien invaders, or I will make you suffer until you do.
Nordberg said:
His tariffs are profoundly stupid [intelligent]. It is very difficult to find an economist [a leftist] who approves.
Click to expand...
FTFY.
Nordberg said:
His tariffs are done in his natural bullying style. Do what I want or I will hurt your country through trade policies.
Click to expand...
I thought that tariffs "hurt US"? At least that's what leftists have told me... But now you say that they "hurt other countries"? Make up your mind, Nordy...
Nordberg said:
Trump's demeaning attitude is pissing off our allies and boosting our foes. Chiona is gathering partners all over the globe while we piss off everyone, even our closest neighbors.
Click to expand...
:rofl2: Is that why Trump recently received a very prestigious gold crown during his visit to South Korea? Is that why Trump is making peace deals all across the world (and why numerous leaders of numerous countries say that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize)?
 
gfm7175 said:
:blah:

There's a shutdown? I haven't even noticed anything different...

Trump is not CONgress.

You are describing the Demonkkkrat Party.

You will empty your pockets to fund illegal alien invaders, or I will make you suffer until you do.

FTFY.

I thought that tariffs "hurt US"? At least that's what leftists have told me... But now you say that they "hurt other countries"? Make up your mind, Nordy...

:rofl2: Is that why Trump recently received a very prestigious gold crown during his visit to South Korea? Is that why Trump is making peace deals all across the world (and why numerous leaders of numerous countries say that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize)?
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You're fighting a losing battle.
 
Diogenes said:
Fun fact: President Trump didn't cut food aid for those on low incomes.

Because he' not a king, President Trump cannot unilaterally force Senate Democrats (or any senators) to vote for cloture, which requires a 60-vote supermajority under Senate rules to end debate and advance a bill. This procedural barrier has been central to the ongoing impasse, directly contributing to the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, and the resulting lapse in November SNAP benefits.

House (Republican-majority) passed a clean CR on September 19 to fund the government through November 21, and again on September 30 to fund the government through March 2026 at current levels, explicitly including SNAP. However, Senate Democrats, holding 47 seats against the GOP's 53, filibustered the bill, demanding amendments.

Some Republicans, like Sen. Josh Hawley (MO), proposed standalone SNAP funding bills with Democrat co-sponsors, but these also stalled without cloture. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused.
Click to expand...
Yup. If Trump was TRULY a "king", then there wouldn't be any government shutdown in the first place because he'd just decree that the government be open despite Senate Democrats.

Right?? @Jade Dragon @ThatOwlWoman @Cypress @Ross Dolan @Poor Richard Saunders @Dutch Uncle @AProudLefty @Nordberg @Walt @archives @domer76 @Tbird19482 @martin @gmark77 @Althea @BartenderElite @tigerred59 @QP!
 
gfm7175 said:
Yup. If Trump was TRULY a "king", then there wouldn't be any government shutdown in the first place because he'd just decree that the government be open despite Senate Democrats.

Right?? @Jade Dragon @ThatOwlWoman @Cypress @Ross Dolan @Poor Richard Saunders @Dutch Uncle @AProudLefty @Nordberg @Walt @archives @domer76 @Tbird19482 @martin @gmark77 @Althea @BartenderElite @tigerred59 @QP!
Click to expand...
Trump's priority is a gaudy, gold-gilded monstrosity of a Royal ballroom, which is more appropriate for the Royal palaces at Versailles.
71d1d4d0-6e3e-11f0-a3f5-afebbe7846cc.jpg
 
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