The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom
**White House Begins Demolition of East Wing for Trump’s New Ballroom**
WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday commenced the demolition of part of the East Wing, traditionally the base of operations for the first lady, to make way for President Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
Dramatic photos shared by The Washington Post show a backhoe tearing through the East Wing’s façade, with windows and building materials scattered on the ground. Some reporters observed the demolition from a nearby park adjacent to the Treasury Department, which borders the East Wing.
Preliminary site preparation, including the clearing of trees, began in September. The White House maintains that it does not require approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for the demolition work itself—only for new construction projects.
The NCPC is the agency responsible for approving construction and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington, D.C., area. Its chairman, Will Scharf, also serves as the White House staff secretary and a senior aide to President Trump.
As of now, the commission has not approved the construction plans, and it remains unclear whether the White House has formally submitted the ballroom proposal to the agency. Adding to the uncertainty, the NCPC’s offices are currently closed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
President Trump has stated that the new, massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom is necessary because the White House’s largest room, the East Room, can only accommodate around 200 people. He also expressed reluctance to host events in outdoor pavilions on the South Lawn.
According to Trump, the new ballroom will have a capacity to fit 999 guests. The White House has announced plans to complete the project before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/20/white-house-east-wing-trump-ballroom/
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