Demolition work has begun on the East Wing of the White House to pave the way for President Donald Trump’s proposed $250 million ballroom project — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from commentators and historians alike.
On Monday, crews were seen tearing down parts of the East Wing’s facade facing the Treasury Department. The area previously housed the White House Calligraphy Office and served as the main entrance for guests attending tours and events.
President Trump confirmed the development during a ceremony honoring NCAA and NAIA baseball championship teams from Louisiana State University and its Shreveport campus.
“We’re building right behind us — a ballroom,” Trump announced. “They’ve wanted one for 150 years, and I’m giving that honor to this wonderful place.” He added that the venue would be “a lot of fun,” saying work had officially begun that day.
The new ballroom, expected to seat 650 guests — more than triple the capacity of the existing East Room — will reportedly connect to the main residence through what Trump called a “knockout panel.”
The East Wing, first constructed in 1902 and expanded under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, has long served as the Office of the First Lady and home to several White House departments, including the Military and Travel offices. Beneath it lies the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, a secure facility used during crises, including the 9/11 attacks.
The demolition appears to contradict Trump’s earlier pledge that the new event space would not “interfere” with existing White House structures. Officials now say the East Wing’s replacement is justified due to its numerous past renovations.
According to the president, the ballroom’s funding is fully secured, with contributions from major corporations such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Coinbase.
Critics, however, have condemned the destruction. Political commentator Marcy Wheeler compared the move to the British burning of the White House in 1814, writing, “First Trump’s mob attacked the Capitol for the first time since 1812. Now he’s doing more damage to the White House than the British did in 1814.”
Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta questioned the legality of the project, asking, “So any president can just start destroying portions of the White House? Is that how this works?”
While new federal buildings typically require approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, its Trump-appointed chair ruled last month that the demolition falls outside the agency’s jurisdiction.
Will Scharf, the White House Staff Secretary and NCPC member, explained that the board’s oversight applies only to “vertical construction,” not demolition or site preparation.
The ballroom project — which Trump has promoted as a “grand legacy addition” — continues despite growing controversy over its impact on the historical integrity of the White House complex.
