Roland Emmerich (70) has voiced sharp criticism of the White House renovation initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump (80). Speaking to the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung", the filmmaker expressed his dismay: "Looking at the images, I almost had to cry", said the 70-year-old. Emmerich is particularly critical of the demolition of the East Wing to make room for a new ballroom, which he calls a "catastrophe".
"It was a catastrophe - a political one. And to make matters worse, the ballroom is then also way too big. Why does this thing have to be so big? What's that German word again? Gigantomanisch", the director explained further. He also holds First Lady Melania Trump (56) accountable: "Melania should have said no."
The East Wing housed a movie theater
According to Emmerich's assessment, the renovation mainly reveals insights into the relationship between Donald and Melania Trump. Political aspects take a back seat for him. "It was probably an absolutely personal matter. And she probably just said about it: 'Whatever. I don't care'", said the director.
Looking at the changes, he also emphasizes the previous importance of the East Wing: "The East Wing was the First Lady's domain. She and her staff had all their offices there. Where are they now? The East Wing even housed the White House's small movie theater."
Long-time critic of Trump
Roland Emmerich has clearly positioned himself against President Trump for years. In an interview with the "Augsburger Allgemeinen", he called the President a "fraud". "We definitely have a political catastrophe in America. Hopefully Trump won't become king. At least there are protests. [...] But I believe that the Trump thing will be over one day. Hopefully people won't fall for such a fraud in the long run."
