The White House defended the demolition of part of the White House’s East Wing, calling the backlash “manufactured.”
The Trump administration is portraying the project as a historic enhancement of the presidency’s institutional capabilities — one consistent with a long tradition of White House renovations by previous presidents. The White House has confirmed that the ballroom is privately funded, with donations coming from Trump himself, business executives, and corporate sponsors.
Why It Matters
Demolition of a portion of the White House’s East Wing began Monday, setting off a wave of backlash from critics who say President Donald Trump’s construction of a massive new ballroom is a politicized and unnecessary transformation of the executive residence. The $250 million, 90,000-square-foot project is intended to significantly expand the White House’s event-hosting capacity, according to the administration.
The demolition represents the most significant structural change to the White House complex in decades.
What To Know
In a statement on Tuesday, the White House called the backlash “manufactured outrage” from “unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies.” The White House added that the addition is “bold” and “necessary” to keep the “executive residence as a beacon of American excellence.”
Construction crews began dismantling the East Wing on Monday, even as the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has not granted approval for the ballroom itself. According to NPR, NCPC chairman Will Scharf — who is also a Trump aide — said at a September meeting that the commission lacks jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation, only the “vertical build.”
At an East Room event with the Louisiana State University baseball team, Trump acknowledged the noise from the construction happening “right behind us,” and added, “They wanted a ballroom for 150 years, and I’m giving that honor to this wonderful place.”
The ballroom, as described in renderings released by the White House, will feature crystal chandeliers, gilded Corinthian columns, and arched windows overlooking the South Lawn. Its planned seating capacity has increased from 650 to 999 guests since July, NPR noted.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in July that offices in the East Wing — traditionally used by the first lady and other staff — would be relocated during construction and that the wing would be “modernized and renovated.”
The move also reflects the broader ambitions of the Trump administration to redefine presidential aesthetics, as seen in past changes including gold decor in the Oval Office and the paving of the Rose Garden.
The White House also pointed out that presidents have been renovating, expanding and modernizing the White House for over a century, highlighting several of the changes over the years.
How is the White House Ballroom Being Funded? What We Know
Trump said the White House ballroom is being privately funded by “many generous patriots, great American companies” and himself. Trump said at an event that the head of Carrier Global Corp. offered to donate an air conditioning system for the ballroom.
Why Is the East Wing Being Torn Down?
Trump and his allies argue the new ballroom is long overdue, noting the East Room — the largest current event space — only holds about 200 people.
“This will allow us to host kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers in a space worthy of their station,” Trump said during a ceremony Monday.
When Will the White House Ballroom Be Completed?
An exact date for when the renovations will be completed has not been released, but the White House said in July that construction is expected to be done “long before the end” of Trump’s term. Trump’s term ends in January 2029.
What People Are Saying
Communications director Steven Cheung, in a post on X: “Construction has always been a part of the evolution of the White House. Losers who are quick to criticize need to stop their pearl clutching and understand the building needs to be modernized.”
One Google review of the company doing the demolition said: “Demolishing the East Wing of the White House? Are you serious? Shameful and disgraceful.”
What’s Next
As of Tuesday, the National Capital Planning Commission remains shut down due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, leaving the approval process for the vertical construction component unresolved. The White House said in July it would continue to provide the American public with updates on the project.
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