WATCH: White House columns appear to be Trump's latest project

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-white-house-columns-appear-to-be-trumps-latest-project Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: White House columns appear to be Trump's latest project Politics Jul 9, 2026 4:37 PM EDT Crews have draped tarps over the towering stone columns on the north side of the White House, where work is underway to scrape away decades of paint. PBS News' Liz Landers asked the Trump administration for more about what's happening. She shares what she found out in the video above. The new tarps on the building's façade are partially see-through. They feature images of columns designed to cover the actual ornate stone columns beneath. Scaffolding went up several days ago for work on the columns. It is the latest in dozens of projects Trump has led to remake the White House to his own tastes – including a massive ballroom and helipad on the South Lawn. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The White House hasn't provided details on what is being done to the columns or how much it will cost. But Trump said on Monday: "We've taken about 150 years of paint off of the columns" and added that, "If you don't strip the paint off, it gets worse and worse and worse." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now