White House To Undergo Renovation As Trump Leaves For 17 Day Vacation

The White House is set to undergo a major renovation as President Donald Trump left for a 17-day “working vacation” at his golf course in New Jersey, reports said.

David Scavino Jr., the president’s social media director Friday tweeted a photograph of an empty Oval Office with a caption that read: “One hour after Air Force One is wheels up the Oval Office is empty.”

The work to replace the West Wing’s 27-year-old heating ventilation and air conditioning system has already begun, a White House official told reporters Thursday, the Hill reported.

Read: What Will Donald Trump Build First? White House Puts Together List Of 50 Infrastructure Projects

Among other work, the West Wing is expected to get a new carpet, the existing paintings will be replaced by new ones, the staircase leading to the White House from the South Lawn will be refurbished, electricity work, renovating the kitchen of the Navy Mess, and removing staircase of the press briefing room.

The entire renovation work will be carried out by the General Service Administration (GSA) “which has been delivering the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the federal government and American people for more than 67 years.”

Speaking to the Town & Country, a White House representative said this is “a massive renovation” that is “more out of necessity than cosmetic.”

The renovation usually takes place in the month of August when the president traditionally goes on a vacation. However, this one happening right now is “definitely a much larger overhaul,” the representative said adding, “Many of the existing systems are in dire need of repair and replacement, which is why this renovation is so crucial. The GSA teams will be working around the clock to complete these projects; they're preparing to have people here 24/7."

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump was in the news after he was quoted calling the White House “a real dump” while speaking with staff members at the Trump National Golf Club.

However, the president refuted the rumors calling it “totally untrue.”

He posted a tweet saying: “I love the White House, one of the most beautiful buildings (homes) I have ever seen. But Fake News said I called it a dump - TOTALLY UNTRUE.”

Read: Donald Trump White House Dress Code Policy? Female Staffers Must ‘Dress Like Women,’ President Says

Meanwhile, a White House official said while the president enjoys staying at the White House, he often complains about the poor condition of the West Wing, CNN reported.

Backing Trump, the official said that he [Trump] has a point. “The West Wing is in need of some upkeep.”

Recalling the time when Barack Obama was the president, David Recordon, the director of White House IT tweeted: "During the last summer vacation @BarackObama took, we replaced hundreds of phones throughout the house. Another before, we deployed Wi-Fi :)"