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Comedy show presenters recently targeted the demolition of the East Wing of the presidential residence and the corporate sponsors of an expensive luxury hall construction.

Seth Meyers

During Thursday's broadcast of 'Late Night', Seth Meyers voiced shock over the administration's plan to construct a gilded ballroom. “It would be bad enough if Trump's biggest priority was just building a self-aggrandizing structure for himself, but it’s even more concerning,” he stated. “Because to accomplish it, he’s tearing down a somewhat well-known and beloved piece of property.”

That property is the entire East Wing of the White House, which has existed for more than a century. He's demolishing the entire East Wing to build his unnecessary ballroom. I mean, look at this,” Meyers marveled. “This is like a sequel to a home renovation show called a disastrous remake.”

Unsurprisingly, Trump also lied about this project.” Initially, he promised no destruction and said it “won’t interfere with the current building” because it would be “adjacent without contact”.

In essence, he vowed to handle it similarly to his personal relationships,” Meyers quipped.

Trump said the design evolved following extensive research with some of the best architects in the world”.

Is that so? Who was the designer you talked to, a fictional monster?” Meyers retorted.

Criticism emerged quickly, though unproductive. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a letter Trump stating that the new structure would overwhelm the existing building and asked him to pause construction until the plans could be reviewed. Firstly, I fully support with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” Meyers commented. “And two, best wishes with that appeal.”

It's the epitome of deceptive tactics,” he continued. “He won the election by promising he was going to improve living costs for everyday citizens, and now he’s demolishing the White House to build himself a gilded vanity project.”

Stephen Colbert

“As of this morning the East Wing resembled a cooked poultry your dog got into,” remarked the host on the Late Show. “That is very upsetting to look at, I understand that, and you know the administration knows that,” because on Thursday, the Secret Service blocked entry to the Ellipse park where reporters were photographing images of the demolition.

That seems logical – if it's not recorded, they can just claim the East Wing met an unfortunate end,” Colbert joked.

He highlighted that it was “a lot of history being smashed to rubble”, as the East Wing was built in 1902 and had been the base for presidential spouses since the 1970s. “In fact, Melania was in the eastern part, and I certainly hope they evacuated her because she’s often mistaken for a decorative lighting fixture,” Colbert remarked over a photo of her more non-traditional outfits.

The president financed the “ball-doggle” with money from “groveling corporations” including major tech and entertainment firms. “And Trump needs all the cash he can get,” noted the host, as the projected expense has already increased from an initial $250m to more than $300 million, for a 8,400 sq-meter building, larger than the current residence itself. “It's comparable to a professional soccer field,” Colbert observed. “So keep in mind, corporations, as you bribe the president: play fair.”

The Daily Show

And on the comedy program, Michael Kosta tracked the swift evolution of the initiative from idea to action. “When he started, he promised that it would be distinct from the existing White House and he would not affect the East Wing. That the work would strictly be over the pants,” he summarized.

“Recently, there was a minor adjustment when Trump ripped open the side of the East Wing like it had a collectible toy inside.”

By Thursday, the whole eastern part was demolished. “Events are unfolding rapidly,” he said. “He has spent over a decade to give us a healthcare plan, but in less than a week he’s demolished half the White House. Donny T, assure us this will be aesthetically pleasing …”

Unfortunately not – according to Trump’s own scale model shown to officials, the new hall will overshadow the current White House. “It resembles a crustacean with the big arms, doesn’t it?” Kosta chuckled. “In other words, I don’t know a lot about architecture. But I do know a thing or two about overcompensating for a small penis.”