Donald Trump has reportedly spent taxpayer money to fund his “Presidential Walk of Fame.” A new report says that the president used National Park Service funds for personal renovations. This reportedly includes the installation of African granite for the walkway in the White House.
Taxpayer money reportedly paid for the colonnade renovation
According to a recent report by The Atlantic, Donald Trump has prioritized personal renovation projects at the White House and around Washington, D.C. His administration has allegedly cut spending for national parks in the country, diverting the funds to those projects.
The report notes that Trump has used National Park Service funds for his “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the White House. The walkway has sparked controversy for mocking former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
According to budget documents from the National Park Service obtained by The Atlantic, the walkway replacement has cost taxpayers $689,232. The fund is reportedly a part of a $1.3 million project that includes “repairing adjacent stone and masonry and providing new hardware for nearby doors.”
Trump reportedly also used National Park Service funds for the installation of imported African granite for the walkway from the Oval Office to the White House. The president had previously announced that he would be paying for the project himself.
In a June 18 interview with Axios, Trump stated, “I love the building. I’m fixing the building. You know, I do that in my little side hobby.” He stated that he will fix it, adding, “I pay for it myself. I don’t want money.”
The White House has not addressed the report by The Atlantic yet. In a July 2 statement to People, spokesperson Davis Ingle said, “President Trump is making the White House and our Nation’s Capital beautiful and giving it the glory it deserves — something everyone should celebrate.” He added, “The President will continue to beautify and honor our Nation’s Capital during America’s historic 250th anniversary celebrations.”
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on Mandatory.
