Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the White House's East Wing to make way for a new ballroom planned by US President Donald Trump, prompting criticism from a former lawmaker who called the renovation an 'utter desecration'. Photographs published by The Washington Post and other outlets show works under way, with parts of the exterior ripped down.
Mr Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that 'ground has been broken' on the project, which he said is being funded privately by donors and himself at no cost to taxpayers. He described the ballroom as 'much-needed' and promised it would be 'the most beautiful in the country'.
Plans for the $250m (approximately £200m) addition were first reported in July. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the venue would span 90,000 square feet (8,300 square metres) and seat up to 650 people. Officials expect completion before the end of Mr Trump's second term in January 2029. The President reportedly told donors at a recent dinner that the ballroom would feature bulletproof glass and accommodate 1,000 guests.
Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh called the renovation an 'utter desecration of the peoples’ house' and suggested he would campaign on demolishing it. Democratic congressman Mark Takano has proposed legislation to ban federal funds for White House construction during a government shutdown, which entered its 20th day on Monday. Human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid criticised the project as a 'vanity project' amid record wealth inequality.
Guests at a White House dinner for ballroom donors reportedly included representatives from Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir and Lockheed Martin. The White House declined to comment to the Guardian on the demolition.
