AXIOS (Avery Lotz) - Trump's White House remodel tab keeps growing
The East Wing is gone, a new helipad is spreading across the lawn, and scaffolding wraps the White House's front columns, but the price tags for President Trump's renovations are far less obvious. The big picture: The muddled mix of funding streams — whether from private donors, the president himself or taxpayers — has fueled ethical questions about who's footing the ever-rising bill for the HGTV-reminiscent White House redesign. The latest: Senate Democrats urged the Government Accountability Office to audit the ballroom project's scope and cost Wednesday. - One tally, reported exclusively by The Washington Post this week, says the president's construction projects, including upgrades to Lafayette Square and other renovations,…
What were the components of the $1 billion security plan pitched by the administration for the renovation project?
The plan included $220 million for "hardening" security and $180 million for a new visitor screening facility.
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What was the reported cost and funding source for the Rose Garden re-do?
The Rose Garden re-do reportedly cost around $2 million and was covered by private donations.
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How much is Lockheed Martin covering for the construction of the new Marine One model helipad?
Lockheed Martin is covering up to $6 million for the helipad.
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How has the estimated cost of the White House ballroom project changed from its initial pitch to recent reports?
The project was initially pitched at roughly $200 million last year; President Trump later suggested it could be between $300 million and $400 million depending on finishes; a Washington Post report in June cited a contractor summary estimating the cost was closer to $600 million.
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