President Donald Trump has begun construction on a $250 million ballroom at the White House, with demolition crews on Monday tearing down part of the storied East Wing to make way for the new structure.
The president, who first announced the project in July, said the ballroom would be financed by himself and private donors, and would not interfere with the existing White House landmark.
“It will be beautiful,” Trump said at the time. “It won’t interfere with the current building it will be near it, but not touching it. And it pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
Heavy construction equipment was seen dismantling the façade of the East Wing, which has long housed the First Lady’s offices, a theatre, and a visitor’s entrance used to welcome foreign dignitaries.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Monday regarding the demolition.
Trump confirmed that work had officially begun after images of the teardown circulated in news reports. Speaking to visiting Louisiana State University baseball players in the East Room, he said, “Right behind us, we’re building a ballroom. You might hear some of the construction going on periodically.”
According to Trump, future state events will begin with cocktails in the East Room before guests move into what he described as the “finest ballroom in the country,” featuring views of the Washington Monument and capacity for 999 people.
“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!” Trump wrote later on his Truth Social platform.
A former real estate developer, Trump has taken a keen interest in architectural projects during his presidency. He previously oversaw renovations to the White House, including gold ornamentation in the Oval Office and a redesign of the Rose Garden inspired by his golf resorts. He has also proposed an Arc de Triomphe-style monument to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
The current East Wing was built in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during World War Two, over an underground bunker designed for emergency use. The facility has since struggled to accommodate the increasing number of staff and visitors, prompting some White House events to be held under tents on the South Lawn.
