WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has confirmed that the entire East Wing of the White House is being demolished to make way for a new $300 million ballroom, in what preservation groups have described as one of the most dramatic architectural changes to the historic building in decades.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he opted for a complete teardown after consulting architects who, in his words, advised that “really knocking it down” was better than partial renovation.
The remarks came after images showed heavy machinery tearing through the East Wing’s façade, leaving a heap of rubble and exposed steel.
“We’re doing something beautiful. The ballroom will be incredible — truly one of the finest in the world,” Trump told reporters during a press briefing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The president said the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom — with capacity for 1,000 guests — would serve as a venue for large state dinners and official events that have often been held in temporary tents on the White House grounds.
Preservation Concerns
The announcement has sparked outrage among historians and conservationists, who warn that the project risks undermining the White House’s architectural integrity.
In a letter addressed to the Trump administration on Tuesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation said it was “deeply concerned” that the new structure would “overwhelm the White House itself” and disturb the building’s classical balance.
“The proposed construction may permanently disrupt the harmony of the White House’s historic design,” the Trust wrote, noting that the residence and its smaller East and West Wings form part of a carefully composed 18th-century layout.
Trump, however, downplayed such concerns, insisting the East Wing was “completely separate” from the main residence — despite being physically connected by a covered colonnade.
The East Wing, traditionally home to the First Lady’s offices, has stood since 1942 and serves as a gateway to the White House bunker built during World War II.
Rising Costs and Limited Transparency
The project’s cost has already climbed from $250 million to $300 million, with little public disclosure about funding or design details. Critics have accused the administration of sidestepping consultation and review processes typically required for federal landmarks.
White House officials have yet to release blueprints or provide a clear timeline for completion.
Despite the criticism, Trump appeared unbothered, framing the demolition as part of his broader effort to “modernise and expand” the White House.
“We’re making the people’s house even greater,” he said. “It deserves a ballroom worthy of America.”
For now, the sound of demolition — not diplomacy — fills the East Wing, marking a controversial chapter in the long and storied history of the White House.
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