Donald Trump has ordered the demolition of the East Wing facade of the White House to build a $250m ballroom, drawing sharp criticism from historians and former officials. The work began this week, with images of broken masonry and rubble at America's most famous address prompting comparisons to a disaster movie.
Elaine Kamarck, a former White House official, called the demolition an 'abomination' and said it was 'typical Trump'. Presidential historian Jonathan Alter described it as 'the perfect symbol of the Trump administration', adding that they had taken a 'wrecking ball to the rule of law'.
The East Wing housed the first lady's offices, a theatre and a visitors' entrance for foreign dignitaries. Trump had previously promised that nothing would be demolished, saying in July that the project would 'pay total respect to the existing building'. The construction has proceeded without sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission.
The ballroom, which will hold up to 999 guests with bulletproof windows, is to be funded by private donations. Renderings show a resemblance to the gilded ballroom at Mar-a-Lago. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged a pause, warning that the 90,000 square foot structure would 'overwhelm the White House itself', which is 55,000 square feet.
Trump aides have dismissed the backlash as 'manufactured outrage', noting that presidents have added to the White House since 1792. However, critics argue the scale and style are out of keeping with the historic building, with Alter comparing it to building a glass tower above 10 Downing Street.
