Trump Slams $3.1B Fed Renovation While Pushing His Own Pricey D.C. Makeover
A Tale of Two Construction Projects
Trump’s Truth Social tirade accused the Fed of “wasting” billions on fixing its headquarters, claiming the work could be done for a fraction of the cost. But just days earlier, he was touting his plan to make D.C. “safer and more beautiful” — a scheme that will require massive taxpayer spending on aesthetic upgrades. Translation: if the money feeds his image, it’s an “investment.” If it strengthens an institution he can’t control, it’s “waste.”
Picking a Fight With the Fed
On a highly publicized tour, Trump clashed with Chairman Jerome Powell over renovation costs. Powell calmly corrected him, explaining Trump’s figure lumped in old, unrelated projects. But Trump didn’t care — this was never about accuracy. It was about discrediting the Fed so he can push it into political submission.
Beautification for Me, Belt-Tightening for Thee
Trump frames the Fed’s project as government excess, yet his own D.C. beautification push will funnel millions — maybe billions — into construction, landscaping, and “clean-up” efforts. And guess who decides which projects get priority under his plan? Trump and his inner circle. This is fiscal policy as personal branding exercise, paid for by the public.
From Paint Jobs to Power Grabs
By attacking the Fed over bricks and mortar, Trump isn’t saving money — he’s laying the groundwork for a power grab. Once Powell and other independent voices are out of the way, the central bank will be transformed into a partisan cash machine, funding policies that serve his political allies and punishing his opponents.
The Double Standard That Could Cost Us All
We’ve seen this script before: authoritarian leaders slash budgets for independent institutions while lavishly spending on pet projects that burnish their image. In the end, the public pays twice — once for the leader’s vanity, and again for the damage done to the economy.
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