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Trump administration seeks to paint landmark Washington building white at cost of at least $7.5 million

Friday, 8 May 2026, 06:39 · 1 min read

The Trump administration is pushing ahead with plans to paint the exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (a 19th-century granite landmark situated directly beside the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue) white, at a preliminary estimated cost of at least $7.5 million. A White House facilities official presented the proposal to the National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday, but the commission declined to approve it, instead requesting further details including information on the type of paint to be used and alternative options for improving the building's appearance. The plan has drawn strong opposition from preservationists, architects, and historians, who warn that painting granite will trap moisture and permanently damage the 1888 structure, while a federal lawsuit and a separate review by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts also pose obstacles to the project.

Sources
PBS NewsHour PoliticsWATCH: Trump's plan to paint Eisenhower building white could cost at least $7.5M, White House says ↗︎
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