U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the White House’s entire East Wing is being torn down to make way for a massive $300 million ballroom. The decision marks a significant escalation from earlier reports suggesting a partial renovation.
Speaking at an Oval Office event alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump told reporters that he opted for a complete teardown after consulting with architects. “We decided really knocking it down was the best way,” the president said. “We’re building something truly magnificent for America.”
The East Wing, traditionally home to the First Lady’s offices, is physically connected to the Executive Mansion by a covered colonnade. It has long been a symbol of the White House’s architectural balance and classical design. However, images of heavy machinery ripping through its facade have shocked preservationists and historians alike.
The new structure will feature a 90,000-square-foot ballroom capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests. Trump argued that the addition is necessary to accommodate large state dinners and events that currently require temporary tents on the South Lawn.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation surrounding the project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed alarm over the scope of the demolition, warning that the new construction could “overwhelm the White House itself” and disrupt its historic architectural harmony.
The demolition’s cost has also increased from an earlier estimate of $250 million to $300 million, drawing further scrutiny. While Trump emphasized that the East Wing is “completely separate from the White House itself,” preservation experts have pointed out that the two are architecturally integrated.
As work continues on the controversial project, questions linger about its impact on one of America’s most iconic landmarks and on the historical legacy of the presidency.
