Joe Biden was met with loud cheering as he listed Donald Trump’s “vanity projects” at a state Democratic Party gala in Hanover, Maryland, Saturday evening. “Tearing down the East Wing of the White House, making room for ‘his’ ballroom? Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool,” Biden said. The crowd erupted as he shouted, “Whoa, what a loser.”
The Trump administration’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has ballooned to more than $16 million in costs amid persistent algae blooms and damage to the pool’s new spray-painted aqua blue coating, which the president and National Parks Service have blamed on vandalism. Trump awarded a no-bid contract to his “pool guy” to resurface the pool, initially estimated at $2 million. Videos and photos from the past two weeks show large chunks of the coating floating in murky, algae-stained waters. Workers have been dumping hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals into the water to fight the algae. Last weekend, a dead duckling was found in the pool.
“Biden dubs Trump a "loser" for vanity projects including a ballroom, arch, and reflecting pool at Maryland gala.”
Biden also slammed Trump’s “corruption” amid claims that Trump and his family have positioned themselves to make billions of dollars during his second term. “He has no shame, and frankly it’s embarrassing for the country. But Trump? Trump could care less,” Biden said.
The former president urged Democrats to keep their energy strong ahead of November’s midterms. “To all you who love our country, my message tonight is straightforward and simple: Get up, dammit. Get up now. Continue this fight!” he added.
In June, the Trump administration announced plans to build a walkway down to the Potomac River waterfront extending from the side of the Kennedy Center opposite the Reflecting Pool. Trump described the “promenade” as honoring the supposed original intent of the Memorial’s architects. Cost estimates have not yet been released. In March, Trump said his vast White House ballroom would cost $400 million and be funded entirely by ...