President Donald Trump's plan to add a $300m (£225m) ballroom to the White House has resulted in the complete demolition of the historic East Wing. The destruction was confirmed on Friday, days after construction began, marking a reversal of Trump's July promise that no existing infrastructure would be torn down.
The East Wing, originally built as the East Terrace in 1902 under Theodore Roosevelt, was expanded by Franklin Roosevelt in 1942 to provide working space during the Second World War and to conceal an underground bunker. It later became the home of the first lady's staff and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and served as the social entrance for tourists and guests.
The rapid demolition has drawn sharp criticism from White House alumni and historians. David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, tweeted that it was 'profoundly symbolic' of Trump treating public assets as private property. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has called for a pause pending review by the National Capital Planning Commission, which has not yet approved the project.
The 90,000 sq ft ballroom, nearly double the size of the main White House, will accommodate 999 guests and bear a strong resemblance to the gilded ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. Trump insists it will be privately funded by 'many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and yours truly,' with donors including Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Lockheed Martin and Palantir. The administration plans to complete the ballroom before Trump's term ends in January 2029.
