Post Reports: Trump Demolishes White House East Wing; Nazi Controversies Hit Both Parties

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Cole Bjkowicz, Dan Diamond, Dan Marika
Main Theme:
This episode dives into two major stories rocking U.S. politics: President Trump’s unprecedented demolition of the White House East Wing to build a massive ballroom, and recent controversies involving Nazi-related remarks or symbols that have rattled both parties—derailing a Trump nominee and roiling the Democratic Senate primary in Maine.

1. Trump’s White House East Wing Demolition and New Ballroom (00:00–10:44)

Overview

• President Trump has begun demolishing the historic East Wing of the White House to build an enormous new ballroom—a personal priority he’s had since at least 2010.
• The project has sparked major controversy for its scale, funding sources, lack of transparency, and symbolic timing amid a historic government shutdown.

Key Discussion Points

• Trump’s Longtime Ballroom Ambition:
  • Trump reached out as early as 2010 with the ballroom idea.
  • He’s driven by his “builder” instincts and reportedly envisions a lavish interior modeled after his Scottish resort’s ballroom.
  • “President Trump is a builder. He's very attached to this idea and this project.” — Dan Diamond (01:49)
• Demolition Details:
  • The East Wing was rapidly knocked down, surprising even reporters who initially doubted the authenticity of the first photos.
  • Plans for the ballroom remain vague but suggest a 90,000-sq-ft venue seating nearly 1,000—double the size of the White House residence.
• The East Wing’s Significance:
  • Housed the First Lady's office and served as a main entry point for visitors for 80 years, although it's not part of the original White House.
  • Its rapid destruction is viewed as a major, symbolic change to an American landmark.
  • “For basically the lifetime of any American, this has been part of the White House.” — Dan Diamond (05:50)
• Funding and Ethics Concerns:
  • Trump claims the $250–$300 million cost will come from his personal funds and donors—among them major corporations that contract with the federal government (e.g., Amazon, Palantir), raising concerns about potential quid pro quo.
  • “What are those companies going to get out of the deal... preferential treatment later?” — Dan Diamond (06:18)
• Approval Process and Bypassed Checks:
  • Trump exploited regulatory loopholes, bulldozing ahead without pre-approval. The decision now falls to the National Capital Planning Commission, currently chaired by a Trump loyalist.
  • “It’s not putting up new curtains… This is taking down an entire wing of the White House.” — Cole Bjkowicz (07:50)
  • "Trump has bulldozed Washington in so many ways, and he's bulldozing through on this project in very much the same way." — Dan Diamond (09:13)
• Symbolism & Political Optics:
  • The move mirrors Trump’s style—disruptive, unapologetically “Trumpian”—and comes amid a government shutdown, amplifying perceptions of insensitivity and showmanship.
    • “More Metallica than Mozart. You know, it's like hard rock.” — Dan Marika (10:41)
  • Significant negative public reaction, with a “majority of Americans” disapproving.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "The East Wing is gone. It's like a movie, pretty close." — Dan Marika (00:00)
• "We thought it might be AI... It happened very quickly. Now a few days later, most of the East Wing is gone." — Dan Diamond (02:45)
• "The way he goes about it is very much the way he goes about politics. It's full gas, full bore, like more Metallica than Mozart." — Dan Marika (10:44)

2. Maine Senate Race and Democratic Controversies (12:58–23:45)

Overview

• The Democratic Senate primary in Maine has become unusually heated after revelations about candidate Graham Platner’s past, including a Nazi-symbol tattoo and questionable old internet posts.
• The primary pits Platner, an outsider and self-styled working-class progressive, against establishment favorite Governor Janet Mills.

Key Discussion Points

• Graham Platner’s Candidacy:
  • Progressive oyster farmer and harbor master, backed by Bernie Sanders.
  • Positions himself as someone who can bridge Maine’s deep partisan divide; has never run for office before.
• Establishment vs. Progressive Rift:
  • Mills’ entry led to a quick establishment endorsement, highlighting a deepening divide within Maine Democrats and giving Platner anti-establishment credibility.
• Controversy Over Platner’s Past:
  • Old Reddit posts revealed: once had a Nazi symbol tattoo (since covered), made disparaging comments about Trump supporters, and other controversial remarks.
  • He claims ignorance about the tattoo and has publicly apologized and explained his personal growth—though not all are convinced.
  • “I am not a secret Nazi. Actually, if you read through my Reddit comments, I think you can pretty much figure out where I stand on Nazism.” — Graham Platner on Pod Save America, quoted by Dan Diamond (19:08)
• Potential Impact:
  • The issues strike at the heart of Platner’s core argument—that he can appeal to working-class Trump voters—because his deleted posts demeaned that very demographic.
  • Raises broader questions about online pasts of modern politicians and evolving voter tolerances regarding candidate backgrounds.
    • “You’re sometimes defined by the worst thing you ever tweeted on your worst day.” — Dan Diamond (22:37)
  • Despite scandal, Platner leads Mills in recent polling, indicating changing political standards.
• Democratic Reflections:
  • Democrats are grappling with whether to maintain higher ethical/personal standards for their candidates compared to Republicans, or accept more “complicated” personal histories as reflective of real-world growth and the realities of online life.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "His whole pitch is that... he is one of these guys who can reach out to Trump supporters, who knows them, who works with them, who can relate to them. Online, he had written some stuff that was demeaning of Trump supporters..." — Dan Marika (17:47)
• "Always a good moment for your campaign when you have to deny being a secret Nazi." — Dan Diamond (19:20)

3. Nazi Controversies and Fallout in Both Parties (23:27–26:08)

Overview

• The show draws a parallel between Platner’s past scandal and the collapse of a Trump administration nominee, Paul Angracia, who admitted in group chats to having “a Nazi streak.”

Key Discussion Points

• Paul Angracia’s Failed Nomination:
  • Nominated as head of the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew after group chat comments about having “a Nazi streak” surfaced.
  • Opposition came from both establishment and hardcore Republicans, showing there still is a red line.
  • "It does signal that there is a line to things that you can say and do online and continue to move ahead in your career." — Dan Marika (24:43)
• Political Context & Implications:
  • The Trump administration, in its second term, is relying on a smaller pool of fiercely loyal, and sometimes more radical, appointees.
  • Political tolerance for scandals is variable—Platner’s actions were in the distant past, while Angracia’s are recent.

4. Government Shutdown and Political Climate (26:08–29:03)

Overview

• The conversation closes by connecting the White House construction and political scandals to the ongoing government shutdown, now in its fourth week with no resolution in sight.

Key Discussion Points

• Shutdown as “Status Quo”:
  • The shutdown’s persistence is notable; minimal “pressure points” on party leaders reduce incentives to compromise.
  • ACA premium hikes could become a pivotal pressure point in the coming weeks (27:46).
• Trump’s Priorities and Public Perception:
  • Trump continues high-visibility activities (including ballroom construction) as most federal workers and services are in limbo, feeding negative public opinion.
    • "The shutdown, government's not working, but Donald Trump is. And what he's doing is pulling down part of the White House." — Dan Diamond (27:46)
• No End in Sight:
  • Unless political pain increases for either side, the gridlock may persist.

5. Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode is fast-paced, insightful, and often laced with dark humor and sarcasm, reflecting a blend of incredulity and resignation at the state of U.S. politics.
• Standout: The visual of Trump’s “full gas, full bore... more Metallica than Mozart” decision-making (10:41) and the deadpan “Always a good moment for your campaign when you have to deny being a secret Nazi.” (19:20)
• The hosts skillfully connect the week’s stories thematically, highlighting trends of disregard for norms, shifting voter standards, and political polarization.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
This conversation offers a vivid look at how old institutions, standards, and expectations are being bulldozed—sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically—in Trump’s Washington, even as controversies with deep historical resonance still matter—or don’t—in the careers of modern American politicians.