Washington, D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the White House East Wing is being completely demolished to make way for a $300 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a significantly larger project than initially disclosed.
Speaking to reporters at an Oval Office event on Wednesday, President Trump said he opted for a full teardown of the East Wing after consulting with architects, deciding that “really knocking it down” was preferable to a partial renovation.
The announcement came after photos circulated of construction machinery tearing through the East Wing’s historic façade, scattering bricks, rubble, and steel reinforcement. The East Wing has long served as the office space for U.S. First Ladies, while the West Wing houses the President’s offices and the Executive Mansion serves as the first family’s residence.
A Grand New Ballroom
According to Trump, the new 90,000-square-foot event space will accommodate up to 1,000 guests and provide a permanent venue for large state dinners, official receptions, and galas that have traditionally been held in outdoor tents.
The president also confirmed that the project’s cost had increased from the previously reported $250 million to $300 million, attributing the rise to expanded design plans.
“It’s going to be beautiful the biggest, most incredible ballroom you’ve ever seen,” Trump said.
Concerns Over Heritage and Transparency
Although President Trump asserted that the East Wing is “completely separate” from the main White House structure, the two buildings are connected by a covered colonnade, making the demolition particularly controversial among preservationists.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed alarm over the scale of the construction, warning that it could disrupt the architectural balance of the White House complex.
“We are deeply concerned that the size and height of the proposed new construction will overwhelm the White House itself which is 55,000 square feet and permanently alter the harmony of its classical design,” the Trust said in a letter to the administration on Tuesday.
Critics have also voiced frustration over the lack of public consultation and transparency surrounding the project, noting that no formal notice or review process was announced prior to demolition.
Despite the controversy, the White House has not indicated any plans to pause or reconsider the project. Construction on the new ballroom is expected to continue over the coming months.
