WASHINGTON: Demolition work has begun on part of the White House’s East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom — a project he claims will “enhance, not alter” America’s most iconic residence.
According to US media reports, heavy construction equipment was seen dismantling the facade of a building within the White House complex, which has historically housed the First Lady’s offices, a theater, and a visitor entrance for foreign dignitaries.
The new ballroom project is estimated to cost over $250 million. In July, President Trump stated that the funding would come from himself and private donors.
Obama once wore a tan suit and they had pitchforks out.
Today demolition crews begun tearing down parts of the East Wing of the White House to build Trump’s $250 Million ballroom after claiming it wouldn’t “interfere” with the existing White House structure. pic.twitter.com/vpfS9HNbdv
— david 🌻 (@realdavidonline) October 20, 2025
“It will be beautiful,” Trump said at the time. “It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be — it will be near it, but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favorite,” White House said.
Trump announced on Monday that construction had officially begun on the project, following media reports and circulating images of the demolition work.
“Right behind us, we’re building a ballroom,” Trump told visiting college baseball athletes from Louisiana State University in the nearby White House residence’s East Room.
“I didn’t know I’d be standing here right now ’cause right on the other side you have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically.”
“Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernised as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!” he said later on Truth Social.
Before entering politics, Trump was a real estate developer, and he has brought that background to the White House with several high-profile aesthetic changes.
He personally selected gold ornaments for the Oval Office and redesigned the Rose Garden to reflect the style of his golf resorts.
He has also shown interest in reshaping Washington, D.C., proposing a monument inspired by the Arc de Triomphe to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
The existing East Wing was constructed in 1942 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, built atop a bunker designed for emergency use during World War II.
But the complex sometimes strains to hold the number of employees, visitors and guests of the president who wish to attend its events.
Several White House state dinners, for instance, have been hosted in a tent erected on the South Lawn.
