President Donald Trump is no longer the only person taking heat for the destruction of the White House.
Now, the public is holding the White House Historical Association accountable for allowing Trump’s widespread takeover to disgrace the John F. Kennedy family.
Trump, 80, has been remodeling the executive residence for nearly a year.
His most extravagant renovation thus far is the demolition of the East Wing. The building that once housed Melania’s office came down in October. Her husband claimed the demolition was to make way for his grand ballroom fit to host world dignitaries.
The project initially carried an estimated $400 million to $600 million price tag. Officials have since upgraded the plans.
The new design includes a multi-level underground complex featuring a secure bunker, a military hospital, and specialized research facilities. Once complete, the heavily fortified structure will span 90,000 square feet.
The East Wing formerly housed the First Lady’s office and her team, as well as the visitors’ entrance, and was only 12,000 square feet.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit in December 2025 to stop construction of Trump’s vanity project, citing that he did not seek congressional approval.
A federal judge temporarily halted above-ground work on the ballroom. However, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 last month to allow work to resume, ruling that the preservation group lacked legal standing.
Trump’s critics argue that the White House Historical Association should have intervened.
Former first Lady Jackie Kennedy established the organization in 1961.
A new Washington Post report reveals the nonprofit chartered to preserve the landmark knew about Trump’s ballroom plans in July. The organization has also never pushed back on his makeover agenda.
The Post’s sources contend that association leaders “say it is not their place to resist Trump as he remakes the White House to his tastes.”
The group has remained close to Trump throughout his White House overhaul, supporting his efforts while receiving his backing.
A spokesperson told the publication, “We cannot speak for Mrs. Kennedy, but our work remains aligned with the mission she laid out,” and that “the Association continues its work in historical research, education and preservation of the White House collection.”
Adding, “Our mission stays the same no matter who is president, and we are grateful that the majority of Association donors have remained committed to that nonpartisan mission, even while political and media climates have heightened.”
On Facebook, a reader wrote, “It’s a sad day in this country when those people meant to protect our historic White House fail so spectacularly. There is no excuse for this.”
A second user exclaimed, “Omfg! You let the entire country down!!! Shame on all of you!”
“Why? This makes no sense!,” a third person wondered. A skeptic pondered, “How much did they get paid?” to maintain their silence.
His disregard for the Kennedy family has been ongoing for months.
He sparked outrage when he paved over Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden, spurring condemnation from the Kennedy family.
Tensions boiled over when his name was added to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the center announced its two-year closure for renovations.
President Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver, and his grandson, Jack Schlossberg, were among those who publicly spoke out against the decision.
Their anger and a federal judge’s ruling that Trump’s name be removed have loosened the president’s grip on the center.
The president has kept a tarp over the signage for weeks. He now faces a court battle to restore his name and continue the closure.
Trump’s defiance of authority shows in his continued changes to the center. He recently removed the blue sculpture that greets visitors.
The WH is historic –
John Kennedy, Jr looking at the beautiful Rose Garden that Jackie Kennedy renovated. The cemented new Rose Garden by Trump will be presented today with umbrellas throughout, dug into the cement.It is obvious that the Trump family never worked on a… pic.twitter.com/KRMRROxpMr
— Blanche Victoria (@tammytabby) August 20, 2025
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