# Predictions and Forecasts about the East Wing/Bunker/Ballroom **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 10, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274 "2026-08-10T18:04:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/21 "2026-08-11T17:08:57Z")
From photos it looks like they have excavated the site for the bunker. It might be feasible to build a modified, less extensive bunker in that space and then cover it over with dirt. A substitute East Wing or something along those lines could then be built, along with access to the new bunker. I doubt that all of the armaments will be necessary at the site. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/22 "2026-08-11T17:39:32Z")
Hear me out on this … the White House having an event space (I won’t use the B-word) that can be used for state dinners, is not the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. So perhaps something reasonable, rational, aesthetically pleasing and approved through all the proper channels could go in the Big Empty Space where the East Wing used to be. And then christen it the “Joe Biden Ballroom”. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/23 "2026-08-11T18:19:36Z")
I like it, with one small change suggestion-- the word ‘ballroom’ is too tainted by trump’s constant use of the term. Also it’s not very accurate, I think-- the room would probably be used to host state dinners, not formal dances. So how about calling it the “Biden Banquet Room”? Keeps the alliteration. “Obama Banquet Room” has a nice ring to it as well, and would enrage impotent, out of office trump just as much. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/24 "2026-08-11T20:19:11Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Hear me out on this … the White House having an event space (I won’t use the B-word) that can be used for state dinners, is not the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. See, that’s the worst part of all this. Even if Trump gets an idea that isn’t completely awful, he goes about implementing it in such an awful, incompetent, and often illegal, manner that it ruins even those potentially good things. Like the Reflecting Pool. It seems that it has had well-known problems for many years, and it’s not a terrible idea to finally say, “Enough half-assing this, we’re going to spend the money to fix it right!”, and then _actually do that_. But Trump, of course, got it in his head that it would be “easy” to fix, and so demanded it be done on an impossibly short timeline, and then got greedy when he realized it was also a good grifting opportunity to get kickbacks by giving his buddy an inflated no-bid contract to do the work. And of course it all went to shit, and now will probably cost even more sometime down the line to clean it all up. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/25 "2026-08-11T20:47:31Z")
Is clear water more reflective than green water? I say grow Lilly pads and encourage wildlife. There would still be enough water to reflect the monument. I’ll bet Lincoln would be okay with ducks and koi in his pool. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/26 "2026-08-11T22:02:10Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I think all traces of Trump and his activities should be removed and replaced with attractive things that are named for all the people he hates. _The **[Harriet Tubman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman)**/**[Eliezer Wiesel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elie_Wiesel)**/**[Ahmed Zewail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Zewail)/**[**Harvey Milk**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Milk) Memorial Garden,_ perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/27 "2026-08-11T22:12:44Z")
How about construction is stopped for the rest of the presidency. New president invites HGTV people to come in and Flip This BALLROOM! They would have a field day of showing the pre-existing walls all made of plywood, NO real gold used in the tacky gold attributes-- just some Krylon on cardboard… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/28 "2026-08-11T22:31:07Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I like it, with one small change suggestion-- the word ‘ballroom’ is too tainted by trump’s constant use of the term. Also it’s not very accurate, I think-- the room would probably be used to host state dinners, not formal dances. > > So how about calling it the “Biden Banquet Room”? Keeps the alliteration. > > “Obama Banquet Room” has a nice ring to it as well, and would enrage impotent, out of office trump just as much. I would go with something like “The Nobel Peace Prize-Winning Barack Hussein Obama Banquet Room.” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/29 "2026-08-12T00:37:12Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > _The **[Harriet Tubman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman)**/**[Eliezer Wiesel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elie_Wiesel)**/**[Ahmed Zewail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Zewail)/[Harvey Milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Milk)** Memorial Garden,_ perhaps? Throw in Renée Good and Alex Pretti while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/30 "2026-08-12T00:37:19Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I’ve never heard of a defensive drone. [They exist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sting_(drone)); they are meant to destroy offensive drones. That said, I doubt Trump is thinking any further than “drones are the new cool tech, I want some”. He’s militantly opposed to actually learning about anything. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/31 "2026-08-12T00:52:19Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > The **[Harriet Tubman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman)** If we do that, we’ll have to add a subway stop to the bunker. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/32 "2026-08-12T01:02:56Z")
Build a giant dormatory where first term Congresscritters must spend their first term. All visitors must sign in (for their safety, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/33 "2026-08-12T01:08:12Z")
Against all odds, a drone company Don Jr and Eric Jr are invested in got a government contract. That might explain some of his drone interest. Suppose the throne room gets built, with it’s missile-proof roof and foot thick windows. Unless he spends all his time in there, in the event of an attack he would have to waddle all the way from the Oval to his throne room. If he has that much time, then the existing military that surrounds DC should be able to take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/34 "2026-08-16T23:40:07Z")
I could see, post-Trump and as a result of perpetual political BS fighting, that chunk of property staying in a near perpetual state of ruin for years, if not decades. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/35 "2026-08-18T22:58:11Z")
In a way, it would be the perfect Trump memorial. ---
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/36 "2026-08-19T00:42:39Z")
They could name it the Trump Library. Park the “freebie” jet right there. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/37 "2026-08-21T11:17:42Z")
What he should do is rebuild the East Wing, using the drone proof roof and walls the ballroom was going to have. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274/38 "2026-08-21T11:36:44Z")
There’s a large edifice rising out of the East Wing hole. > **[White House East Wing ballroom construction races ahead of court-ordered pause](https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2026/08/20/white-house-ballroom-construction)** > > Twenty hours a day, seven days a week. That’s how often crews are working to build President Trump’s East Wing ballroom. If it isn’t destroyed by an incoming administration, let it be repurposed as the Donald Trump Homeless Shelter & Food Bank. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-and-forecasts-about-the-east-wing-bunker-ballroom/1032274.md?page=1)