President Donald Trump held plenty of meetings at the White House this summer: with foreign delegations striking trade deals, Cabinet members plotting a government overhaul and industry executives seeking tariff relief.
But amid the various audiences, he’s also found time for discussions of a different purpose.
In recent weeks, Trump has gathered officials with varying responsibilities on the White House campus — including from the National Park Service, the White House Military Office and the Secret Service — to talk over his ideas for transforming the building and its grounds to his liking.
His specifications have been exacting, including finishes that closely resemble his gold-trimmed private clubs — or, in some cases, have been shipped directly from Mar-a-Lago.
His ambitions extend well beyond a temporary cosmetic makeover.