U.S. President Donald Trump did not dispute that he is building monuments to himself amid his architectural blitz in Washington, DC, saying in a recent interview that “nobody will do it once I’m gone.” When asked about the monuments, such as the “triumphal arch,” by New York Magazine, Trump agreed that he was building them for himself. “That’s true,” Trump said. “Nobody will do it once I’m gone. When I leave here, nobody will.” The president has been intensely focused on construction of a White House ballroom and other projects in his second term, much to the chagrin of some congressional Republicans and Trump advisers, some of whom told New York Magazine that harping on the ballroom could harm the GOP’s midterm election chances and make staying on message more difficult. Trump told the magazine, however, that “the people should be thankful” for the ballroom. “A lot of people said, ‘Don’t do this interview.’ But I’m proud of the work I’m doing,” the president said. Trump has argued that the ballroom is necessary for national security, emphasizing plans for a drone port on the roof and an underground bunker, as well as bulletproof windows. Meanwhile, the administration is set to break ground on the 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery in the next two weeks. But ultimately, as sources told CNN earlier this year, it all comes down to the president’s legacy. “Look at Donald Trump’s life, look at what he’s done: Built things that no one will ever tear down,” a source close to him told CNN in May, noting that even if successors undo his policies, the ballroom will likely still stand. “The one thing they can’t tear down will be the East Wing. That is his lasting impact. That’s why he cares so deeply: legacy sh*t,” the source said.
