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Critics often draw comparisons with past renovations to contextualize current changes. They highlight that presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, in 1902, demolished Victorian-era conservatories used for growing plants, replacing them with the West Wing, fundamentally altering the structure. President Harry Truman's extensive interior overhaul in 1948—gutted nearly the entire interior of the building—also serves as a precedent, illustrating that major internal modifications are not unprecedented.
These historical examples underscore that the White House has been a living structure, subject to modifications for practicality, security, and modernization purposes over the years. However, critics argue that recent changes, especially the construction of a lavish private ballroom, may cross a line.