Donald Trump is changing the landscape of Washington—literally. From East Potomac Park to the Kennedy Center to the 'Arc de Trump,' everything he touches turns to plaster and adhesive gold-colored filigree. And all the while, D.C. is still under occupation by National Guard out-of-towners. Stephanie Mencimer, a senior reporter with Mother Jones and resident of the city under siege, joins us.

Resources

https://bsky.app/profile/smencimer.bsky.social

https://www.motherjones.com/topics/reveal-podcast/

https://www.youtube.com/@MotherJones

https://www.tiktok.com/@motherjonesmag

https://www.motherjones.com/author/Stephanie-mencimer/

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/08/fore-trumps-dc-golf-course-is-already-in-the-rough/

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/30/trumps-upscale-golf-plan-would-destroy-dc-haven-cyclists-runners/

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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NZIUqUdoz2I

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/23/secret-white-house-bunker-undercuts-trumps-ballroom-lawsuit-ex-officials-say/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/trump-ballroom-construction.html

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https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/29/politics/mike-lee-kennedy-center-bill

https://apnews.com/article/trump-rose-garden-historical-statues-founders-sculptures-0fe922ef11337b4937adf3ac505e9b5b

https://www.turtlediaries.net/p/update-from-the-great-american-state

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-put-thousands-soldiers-washingtons-streets-they-seldom-stop-crime-2026-08-19/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/daily-news-lessons/2025/10/east-wing-of-white-house-torn-down-as-trump-clears-space-for-his-ballroom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpIOlDhigw