Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the east wing of the White House for the development of a ballroom under U.S. President Donald Trump. The project, disclosed by an unnamed White House official, involves significant structural changes to accommodate a space designed to host up to 650 guests. The area will span 89,000 square meters, with an estimated cost of $250 million.
A statement from Trump emphasized that the new structure would be built adjacent to the existing White House without compromising its historical integrity. “It will not interfere with the existing building. It will be next to it, but will not touch it and will fully respect the existing building,” he stated during a July decree signing.
Details about the project, including architectural plans and exact location, have not been publicly released. Meanwhile, preparations such as tree removal have already commenced, though officials have not specified the number of trees affected. Critics have raised concerns over the scale of the undertaking, with some questioning its necessity amid ongoing debates about federal spending priorities.
