Experts say Trump ballroom interiors represent ‘historic monarchies’ over American ideals

If President Donald Trump has his way, a building called the People’s House in the capital of the longest-standing democracy could one day get an annex with interior design meant to resemble a seat of power for a European king, authoritarian, or czar. Or at the very least, a hotel and casino themed to look like one. Trump shared renderings of the interior of the disputed White House ballroom on his social network on September 13. The renderings depict a space that looks more Moscow or French Baroque than D.C. or even Mar-a-Lago. Expansive hallways with large windows stretch beneath tall ceilings ornamented with chandeliers. And—of course—there are gold accents throughout. Rather than the neoclassical look associated with federal architecture in the nation’s capital, the design recalls the extravagance of Moscow’s Grand Kremlin Palace. [Image: Truth Social] “The ballroom looks like a whitewashed version of Versailles,” says Annie Elliott, a Washington, D.C., interior designer. She characterized Trump as a wannabe Louis XIV, who ruled France from the palace just outside Paris from 1643 to 1715. While the opulent, gold interior design isn’t surprising considering Trump’s tastes and o…