Melania Trump police officers furious after announcing new tennis pavilion at White House

America’s First Lady Melania Trump received a backlash online after celebrating the completion of a new tennis pavilion at the White House.

Critics of the first lady have suggested the announcement is misplaced, given the worsening state of the coronavirus epidemic in the United States.

The project, which was completed just weeks before the Trumps left the White House, included the remodel of an existing tennis court and a children’s garden, as well as building a pavilion to replace a smaller structure on the southern grounds. .

The first lady’s office said on Monday (NZT Tuesday) that the design of the pavilion was inspired by the architectural style of the White House, especially the east and west wings.

Planning for the project began in early 2018, followed by approval in June 2019 by the Fine Arts Commission and the National Capital Planning Commission.

Melania Trump helped start construction on the project in October 2019. Construction was done in partnership with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service. The new building was financed by private donations. The White House did not disclose the cost.

Earlier this year, as the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold in the US, the first lady tweeted photos of herself wearing a helmet while reviewing the pavilion plans.

His critics lashed out, with some saying the photos were insensitive during the coronavirus scare. She rejected in a follow-up tweet encouraging “everyone who chooses to be negative and questions my work at @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good and productive in their own communities.”

In a written statement Monday, the first lady thanked the “talented artisans” who worked on the project and the “generous supporters of the White House.”

“I am hopeful that this private space will function as a place of recreation and gathering for future First Families,” he said.

The completion of the tennis pavilion follows the First Lady’s redesign of the White House Rose Garden earlier this year.

– With AP