On Monday, the White House initiated the demolition of part of the East Wing, traditionally known as the operational base for the first lady. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s ambitious $250 million ballroom project, which has commenced despite the absence of necessary construction approvals from the federal agency responsible for overseeing such projects. Dramatic images captured during the demolition reveal construction equipment dismantling the East Wing façade, leaving debris scattered across the ground. Observers, including reporters, gathered at a nearby park adjacent to the Treasury Department to witness the activity.
President Trump took to social media to announce the commencement of this significant construction project, referencing the ongoing work while hosting a celebration for the 2025 college baseball champions, Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport, in the East Room. “We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,” he remarked, adding, “It just started today.” The initiative has garnered attention due to the lack of approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the agency tasked with approving major renovations and construction work on government buildings in the Washington area.
During a September meeting, Will Scharf, the chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission and a top aide to Trump, clarified that the commission does not oversee demolition or site preparation efforts for federal properties. “What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” he stated. As of now, it remains unclear whether the White House has submitted plans for the ballroom to the commission for review and approval. The White House has not responded to inquiries regarding this matter, and the commission’s offices are currently closed due to a government shutdown.
In July, when announcing the ballroom project, President Trump assured that the new structure would not interfere with the existing mansion, stating it would be nearby but not directly connected. The East Wing, built in 1902 and renovated over the years—including a second story added in 1942—houses several important offices, including those of the first lady. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, confirmed that these offices will be temporarily relocated during construction, and the East Wing itself will undergo modernization and renovation. “Nothing will be torn down,” Leavitt emphasized during the project announcement.
President Trump has claimed that the desire for a ballroom has existed for 150 years among presidents. He argues that the new 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space is necessary as the East Room, the largest room in the White House, accommodates only about 200 people, which he finds insufficient for hosting dignitaries. Trump expresses his preference for not hosting international leaders in temporary pavilions on the South Lawn. In his social media announcement, he assured citizens that the ballroom's construction would come at “zero cost to the American taxpayer,” as it is being funded by private donations from “generous Patriots” and “Great American Companies.”
The new ballroom represents the most substantial structural change to the Executive Mansion since the addition of the Truman Balcony in 1948, and it is anticipated to be larger than the residence itself. During a recent dinner with affluent business executives contributing to the $250 million construction cost, Trump revealed that the ballroom's capacity has increased from an initial estimate of 650 seated guests to now accommodate 999 people. While the White House has promised to disclose details about the contributions received for the ballroom, specific information has yet to be released.
Among the notable contributions, the CEO of Carrier Global Corp., a leading manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, has pledged to donate the HVAC system for the new ballroom. Carrier confirmed this donation in a statement, expressing its honor in providing a world-class, energy-efficient system that will ensure comfort for distinguished guests in this historic venue for years to come.
As of September, preparations for the construction have already begun, including the clearing of trees on the south grounds. Plans indicate that the ballroom is expected to be completed before President Trump’s term concludes in January 2029.
