‘It Was a Dump’: Trump’s War on the White House’s Historic Soul

President Donald Trump praised the renovation efforts at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and called it a “dump” before the work started.

The president took to Truth Social Sunday to say the White House was in "very bad condition.” He blamed prior administrations did not take care of it.

"The White House was in very bad condition, both inside and out. Frankly, it was a 'dump!' Past Presidents did not take care of it," Trump wrote. "I love renovating it during my spare time, which is not much."

He lauded the Department of the Interior and various contractors, saying they are doing a "fantastic job" with the renovations.

"The exterior 'skin' of the Building was practically falling off! It is now in better shape than when built in 1792. Such an Honor to have the privilege of saving this Great Structure!" Trump wrote.

The president added if more time had passed without renovations, it would have "destroyed our beloved White House!"

Trump has been criticized by preservationists on several projects, including fortifying the North Portico entrance, adding gold ornamentation to the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, paving over the historic Rose Garden and demolishing the East Wing to make room for a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom.

Projects have also extended throughout Washington, including the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, proposing to repaint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and extensive renovations at the Kennedy Center.

Trump has also backed plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a National Garden of American Heroes.