White House construction tops out its first floor ahead of schedule — while D.C.’s Metro runs late again
The federal project the President calls “the most beautiful building anywhere” is ahead of plan. The city-run trains around it are not, and voters choosing Mayor Haywood’s successor have noticed.
Construction crews in Washington D.C. topped out the first floor of the new White House on Tuesday, weeks ahead of the federal schedule, and the President marked the moment the way he marks most moments. “Ahead of schedule, under budget, and the most beautiful building anywhere — maybe ever,” his account posted. “Some people say it’s nicer than Trump Tower. I’m not one of them.”
Two blocks away, commuters on the District’s Metro sat through another week of delays, the third this month. The city-run system has asked Washington for more money four times in two years; critics say the problem is not money but management. After twelve years under Mayor Lillian Haywood, who is not seeking a fourth term, voters are being asked who should fix it.
Republican Gregory Pallas, a small-business owner, is running on “trains that come and permits that don’t take a year.” Democrat Andre Whitlock, a D.C. Council member, wants more housing for teachers and nurses and says the Metro needs “investment, not lectures from the White House construction site.”
The District has not elected a Republican mayor in its modern history and is not expected to start this year. But a race about competence, held next to the one federal project in town that is running early, is the kind of race Republicans like having.
On the NASE, Trump Organization shares ticked up after the post, as they tend to.
New A is a virtual city. Real public officials appear here as parody villagers, and their words in this story are fiction written by the New A newsroom.
Market impact
NASE- TRMPTrump Organization+0.5%154.58 +4.27%
The story’s move on each stock. The NASE prices it in fast — about 74% of it within the hour of publication. 40% of the shock is permanent; the other 60% fades with a 10-day half-life, so 70% of the move is still in the price 10 days later. Right: the price now and today’s change.
Approval impact
Points- Donald TrumpParodyPresident of the United States · Republican+1 pts43% approve now
- Lillian HaywoodMayor of Washington D.C. · Democrat−1 pts50% approve now
Approval points this story moved, applied when it ran and fading over the following weeks. Ratings update with every story — the full board is on Elections.
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