Donald Trump’s White House columns now appear to be undergoing another construction project. While many believed it could be to change their style, the White House clarified that this was not the case. The update comes after last month, when workers were seen carrying out pillar renovations. This prompted rumors that the columns would receive a more ornate Corinthian makeover.
Donald Trump’s latest project centers on North Portico restoration and security
On Thursday, July 9, the White House pillars appeared to undergo renovation work. It came to light when construction workers were spotted at the site. They were seen using white tarps to cover the scaffolding around the building’s front columns. The rumors resurfaced that the columns might be getting a style makeover.
This comes after last month, when construction workers were spotted again, leading people to wonder whether the pillars are moving from the Ionic to the more ornate Corinthian style. Rodney Mims Cook Jr., Chairperson of the United States Commission of Fine Arts, pitched this particular column style.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Cook Jr. revealed why the suggested style is an apt choice for the columns. “Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that’s what our other two branches of government have. Why the White House didn’t originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me,” he explained.
Despite the earlier speculations, the White House representative recently clarified that the columns are undergoing standard restoration work. “This is for stone repair in the columns. The current scope of the maintenance work does not include any design changes,” they told PEOPLE.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revealed on The Katie Miller Podcast that Trump noticed door dings and the pillars when he came out to greet a world leader. He added that the president realized they all needed repair work. “Everything, I mean, and it’s all historic renovation work… We’re restoring the plaster, and not just at the door level — all the way up to the crowns of those towers,” he added, referring to the construction work.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange for Mandatory.
