US President Donald Trump is reportedly transforming the White House into a gold-leafed replica of his private Mar-a-Lago estate, with plans for a massive gold-tinted ballroom. The project, which involves the demolition of the entire East Wing, has raised eyebrows for its scale, cost, and lack of official approvals, drawing comparisons to typical infrastructure projects in India.

Last Monday, bulldozers arrived on the White House grounds, tearing down bricks laid more than 80 years ago during Franklin D Roosevelt’s presidency, to make way for Trump’s golden-hued ballroom. The East Wing, which has served as the office for the First Lady and her staff since 1942, has hosted fourteen First Ladies, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, and Melania Trump. With its demolition

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