Originally published at: Trump Is Using ‘Classical Architecture’ as ‘A Dog Whistle for White Nationalists’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo
One of President Donald Trump’s final actions in his first administration was a last-ditch attempt to confront the impermanence of a four-year term by leaving his mark on something that could last much longer: federal architecture. In a December 2020 executive order, Trump commanded new federal structures be built in the “classical architecture” style, defined…
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I think you are giving “White Nationalists” too much credit, if you think they know anything about classical architecture. Not to mention Trump’s Midas touch is hardly classical, if anything it is a cautionary tale.
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No. They love that shit. This is so on the nose it wouldn’t shock me to discover that the plans came from Albert Speer himself.
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No wonder Trump hates Chicago so much. Talk about exemplifying modern architecture, bold experimentation, and brilliant success in doing so – not to mention a strikingly beautiful skyline and waterfront. [I have a Kevin Drum shot of Shoreline Drive from Lake Michigan as my ‘wallpaper’.]
Later correction: That’s “Lake Shore Drive”! you can tell I’m not from around there…
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I live in the Chicago area. Modern architecture was birthed here, Sullivan, Wright, Miles van Der Rohe, etc. This idiot, who claims America first, wants to decorate in Classical style, echoing the distant past, and the tragic legacy of slavery.
His diet, burnt steak and McDonalds, not to mention that shit he’s pasted all over the White House, tells us he doesn’t even have taste in his mouth.
ETA. Also, see above. 
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We are truly living in the worst timeline. I saw those pictures of the demolition at the White House yesterday and shed a silent tear. This man is bound and determined to drag us back to the ‘50s…the 1850s!!
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Edifice Wrecks
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Trump Is Using ‘Classical Architecture’ as ‘A Dog Whistle for White Nationalists’
Controlled implosion would seem to offer a scientifically sound solution to this likely affront.
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Ah! Another fan of “Rocky & Bullwinkle”, I see.
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"the… outcome of this would be a series of empty basically stage sets”
Brilliant observation.
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No, they need plaques explaining them. Hamfisted comparisons to NAZI Germany will be very appropriate. Emphasize the co-opting of National symbols for the glorification of a single man/god, the attempt to make a cultus imperatorius, its eager embrace by Christian Nationalists.
I am a firm believe in religious tolerance and freedom of conscience, but I also believe that a political movement cannot be allowed to use religious freedom as a ruse to protect their intolerance.
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Lake Shore Drive?
(How do you get to the University of Chicago? Take LSD!)
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Architecture is for lying. I hate American Plantation style because of the exploitation it seeks to deny, and so if he wants to tear down the White House it would be pretty low on my list of the crimes of this administration, and definitely useful to them as a distraction from those higher on the list.
A bonny metaphor, though.
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Does a great deal to explain Milton Friedman.
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U of Chicago is off South Shore Drive.
Then a few blocks in when you hit the Museum of Science and Industry.
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Says it all.
Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. - Winston Churchill
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Now this is an Arch! And that white building with the green dome is the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case was heard.
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I have always thought he is oedipal.
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I grew up in Hyde Park. LSD is the artery you take from the Loop to Hyde Park. Hence the joke.
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