A White House Makeover, Brought to You by Struggling National Parks
The White House is undergoing renovations, including a new pathway and colonnade wall, which are being paid for by taxpayers despite President Trump's claim that he is covering the costs. The renovations are part of a larger shift in taxpayer funds away from National Parks and towards the Washington area, with a 92 percent increase in spending in the National Capital Region over the past year. This shift has resulted in the cancellation of needed repairs and a reduction in staff at National Parks around the country, with over 900 projects going unfunded this year.
- ▪The White House pathway replacement cost taxpayers $689,232 and is part of a $1.3 million project.
- ▪Taxpayer spending on projects in the National Capital Region has increased 92 percent over the past year.
- ▪More than 900 Park Service projects that were expected to be funded this year never received the money due to the shift in funds.
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PoliticsA White House Makeover, Brought to You by Struggling National ParksPark projects are being defunded to cover President Trump’s Washington renovation spree.By Michael SchererIllustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Andrew Harnik / Getty; Mario Tama / Getty.June 26, 2026, 12:26 PM ET ShareSave The pathway that connects the White House residence to the Oval Office has long been paved in Tennessee flagstone. Every president since Harry Truman made the 45-second commute, and made it without complaint, until Donald Trump. The dun rock would not do. Instead, Trump wanted polished African granite, carved in Italy, with a flamed-finish stripe—slightly raised, to prevent slips—running down the middle.
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