Monstrous ballroom

To the editor:

In my last published letter, I wrote that Donald Trump has no intention of leaving office, and unless stopped, will call on his insistence of electoral fraud—a complete falsehood—to justify calling off the presidential election. Now, without congressional authorization, the president has given us a war in Iran that can further justify such actions, when the dangers he will allude to are ones he has instigated. Yes, of course, countless Iranians long for and deeply deserve a regime change, but their country's horrific murders of its own citizens scream that this must happen from the ground up. The effective way for this to happen is strategic infiltration of professionals on the ground to strengthen and enhance the voice and leverage of the people.

Meanwhile, unless it is stopped, the construction of Trump's massive $400 million Midas ballroom will begin soon—just as millions cannot afford gas or food, much less healthcare. We now know that a massive military complex will exist below the ballroom, with secure facilities for the president and his staff, something described as "a matter of national security." It will replace the far less imposing underground facility that existed in the former East Wing, now decimated. My guess is that this new structure will offer grander amenities designed for comfort in longer stays than the one it replaces. Gold faucets, perhaps? With our president's mindset and evidence of past actions, a decision to put this massive construction to use will have nothing whatsoever to do with national security, and everything to do with preserving and enhancing Trump's secure dictatorship - one protected by relentless power and control.

SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 10, 2026