Trump Proposes Painting Eisenhower Building White Despite Lawsuit

The former president wants to dramatically alter a historic DC landmark, despite ongoing legal challenges.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cinematic painting of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., with its ornate French Second Empire-style architecture bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the tension between historic preservation and political change.The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a historic landmark in Washington, D.C., faces an uncertain future as the former president's proposal to dramatically alter its appearance sparks legal challenges from preservation groups.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump has officially submitted plans to the Commission of Fine Arts to have the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. painted bright white, despite a pending lawsuit over the potential changes. The French Second Empire-style building, which was designated a national historic landmark in 1969, has drawn criticism for its "highly ornate design" since its completion in 1888.

Why it matters

Trump has sought to leave his mark on the nation's capital through various renovations and changes, including paving over the Rose Garden, demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom, and painting the Kennedy Center's golden pillars white. The proposed change to the Eisenhower Building is the latest in a series of controversial alterations that have drawn legal challenges from preservation groups.

The details

In the design proposal, the White House stated that the building's current slate gray color has drawn criticism, and Trump has previously complained that "gray is for funerals" and that bright white paint would be "a great addition to Washington." The DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners filed a lawsuit last year after Trump first mentioned the idea of painting the building.

  • Trump first mentioned the idea of painting the Eisenhower Building white in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham in 2025.
  • The DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners filed a lawsuit over the potential changes in 2025.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has proposed dramatically altering the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.

DC Preservation League

A nonprofit organization that filed a lawsuit over Trump's proposed changes to the Eisenhower Building, a national historic landmark.

Cultural Heritage Partners

A law firm that joined the DC Preservation League in filing a lawsuit over Trump's proposed changes to the Eisenhower Building.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Gray is for funerals. It would be a great addition to Washington.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and Cultural Heritage Partners is ongoing, and a judge will have to decide whether to allow the proposed changes to the Eisenhower Building to move forward.

The takeaway

Trump's proposal to paint the historic Eisenhower Building white is the latest in a series of controversial attempts by the former president to leave his mark on the nation's capital, despite legal challenges from preservation groups. The case highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historic landmarks and accommodating the desires of political leaders.