Donald Trump calls the White House a 'real dump'

President Trump’s three-storey, 53-room penthouse home at the very top of Trump Tower is the definition of ostentatious opulence: AP
President Trump’s three-storey, 53-room penthouse home at the very top of Trump Tower is the definition of ostentatious opulence: AP

By most people’s standards, the White House is about as grand as it gets. The official residence of the US President in downtown Washington is not only adorned with neoclassical style colonnades but offers a choice of 132 rooms, 35 of which are bathrooms, to peruse.

But it goes without saying Donald Trump is not most people and the President is reported to be less than pleased with his 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue abode.

According to Golf.com, the billionaire property developer described the White House as a “real dump”.

President Trump, who of course has both a gold-adorned penthouse flat in Manhattan and an estate in Florida, is reported to have explained his frequent appearances at a number of golf courses across America by telling members of his New Jersey golf club: "That White House is a real dump."

The US President has spent almost every weekend of his presidency taking trips to various properties he owns and leases, including Bedminster.

The purported comments led Chelsea Clinton, who of course grew up in the White House, to tweet: "Thank you to all the White House ushers, butlers, maids, chefs, florists, gardeners, plumbers, engineers & curators for all you do every day."

The 2008 book To Serve the President predicted the White House budget includes $1.6m for restoration and repairs each year.

President Trump’s three-storey, 53-room penthouse home at the very top of Trump Tower is the definition of ostentatious opulence. It is home to marble pillars, crystal chandeliers, gigantic painted portraits depicting Greek myths, cherub statues, and an indoor fountain.

Just after Mr Trump won the election last Autumn, Ivana Trump, the President’s first wife, said she did not think the White House was a patch on Trump Tower.

“To be perfectly honest, I think probably the Trump Tower and my townhouse in New York is much better than the White House,” she said while laughing.

“I don’t think he [Mr Trump] will ever give up [his apartment at] the Trump Tower. I know it is probably inconvenient for the residents, but he is going to work it out. But he is moving to White House [as his primary residence].”

“Donald is like a good French wine. He doesn’t like to be moved and travelled.”