Former President Joe Biden has shared his thoughts on Donald Trump’s controversial White House renovations, and he isn’t impressed. During an exclusive interview with People, Biden criticized the president’s decision to demolish the East Wing and build a massive ballroom, describing the projects as attempts to create monuments to himself. Biden, 83, spoke with the outlet at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. When asked about Trump’s renovations, he compared them to the gold decorations added to the White House and Oval Office, calling the changes ‘disturbing.’ “Almost as disturbing as the gold bars on the walls of the White House and the Oval Office,” Biden added. He went on to question Trump’s judgment, arguing that tearing down the East Wing and making other changes appeared to serve the president’s desire to leave behind a personal legacy: “I find it beneath the country.” He thinks Trump is doing it for himself Trump’s renovation plans have attracted attention well beyond the East Wing demolition. The president has also replaced the Rose Garden’s traditional lawn with paving stones (per NPR), installed a helipad on the South Lawn (per The American Presidency Project), and pursued plans for a large ballroom that is expected to dwarf the existing White House structure. Biden suggested that Trump’s approach to the White House reflects a desire to associate the building’s changes with his own achievements. He recalled the historic significance of the residence and described it as the people’s home rather than a place for a president to establish personal monuments. The former president also discussed a proposed triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., near Arlington National Cemetery. The project has faced opposition from members of the Kennedy family, with nine relatives filing a motion on November 10 seeking to join a lawsuit challenging its construction. They argued that the proposed structure could obstruct views of the Kennedy family gravesites and the eternal flame honoring President John F. Kennedy. Despite his criticism of Trump’s changes, Biden said one of the things he misses most about serving as president is the White House staff. He praised the employees responsible for everything from preparing rooms to welcoming visitors. “They all have a sense of honor, what they’re doing in the White House. It’s the ‘People’s House,’” he said. Biden also discussed the recent midterm election results, saying he was pleased with the Democrats’ performance. He expressed concern that voters might be swayed by the Republican leadership’s political messaging but said the results showed that Americans had not simply accepted it. Meanwhile, Biden’s wife, Jill Biden, said the election results had lifted their spirits: “I thought the Democrats would do well, but I really was surprised they did so well.” Biden is preparing to release his memoir, Promise Me, America, on November 17. In the book, he discusses his health and determination to continue fighting cancer. During the interview, he said he still feels good and remains capable of doing the things he did before his diagnosis, adding that he has an excellent medical team and the support of his family.