President Donald Trump has moved forward with the controversial demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for a new, privately-funded ballroom, according to a report on Thursday.
The two-story East Wing—a historic structure that served as the base of operations for the First Lady and her staff, and the entry point for public tours and state events—has been reduced to rubble.
Key Details of the Project:
- New Structure: A ballroom is planned that will be nearly twice the size of the 55,000-square-foot White House itself.
- Cost: The project’s estimated cost has surged, rising from an initial $200 million to a current estimate of $300 million.
- Funding: Trump asserts that he and “some friends” will pay for the construction entirely, promising no cost to taxpayers. He has vaguely pledged to “donate whatever is needed.”
- Justification: The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated the demolition was necessary to ensure the new structure is “truly strong and stable” for the future, citing advice from architects. Trump argued it follows the history of additions to the Executive Mansion.
Controversy and Approval Issues:
The demolition was initiated without advance warning and without approval from government agencies with jurisdiction over federal building construction.
- Lack of Review: Preservationists, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, have expressed alarm that the plans did not go through the required public review process with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts.
- Design Concerns: Critics worry that the massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom will “overwhelm” and “disrupt the carefully balanced classical design” of the Executive Mansion.
- Government Shutdown: Both key oversight commissions are currently closed due to a government shutdown, while a top Trump aide, Will Scharf, has been installed as chairman of the planning commission.
East Wing operations, including offices for the First Lady, have been temporarily relocated elsewhere on the White House campus.
