The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Donald Trump’s $250 million ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects.
TL;DR
- White House East Wing demolition began for a $250 million ballroom project.
- The construction lacks approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.
- President Trump stated the ballroom is privately funded by Patriots and companies.
- The new ballroom will be the largest structural alteration to the White House since 1948.
Striking images of the demolition process revealed construction machinery dismantling the East Wing's exterior and its windows and other sections lying in ruins on the ground. A number of journalists observed the scene from a park adjacent to the Treasury Department, which is situated beside the East Wing.
Donald Trump declared the commencement of construction via a social media update and mentioned the project during his reception for the 2025 college baseball champions, Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport, in the East Room. He pointed out that the work was underway “right behind us.”
“We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,” he said, adding, “It just started today.”
The White House has moved ahead with the massive construction project proceeded without the National Capital Planning Commission's approval, an entity that authorizes construction and significant upgrades to federal structures in the Washington region.
The chairman, Will Scharf, who also serves as the White House staff secretary and is a key aide to Trump, stated at the commission's September gathering that the agency lacks authority concerning demolition or site preparation for structures on federal land.
“What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” Scharf said last month.
It was unclear whether the White House had submitted the ballroom plans for the agency’s review and approval. The White House did not respond to a request for comment and the commission’s offices are closed because of the government shutdown.
During the project's announcement in July, the Republican president had stated that the ballroom wouldn't impact the mansion directly.
“It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he said of the White House.
Several offices, such as the first lady's, are located in the East Wing. The White House reports that it was constructed in 1902 and has undergone renovations, including the addition of a second floor in 1942.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that the East Wing offices would be moved temporarily while construction takes place, and that this section of the building will undergo modernization and renovation.
“Nothing will be torn down,” Leavitt said when she announced the project in July.
Trump maintains that presidents have wanted a ballroom like this for 150 years and that he's constructing the enormous 90,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed area because the East Room, the White House's largest room with seating for about 200, is insufficient. He has also expressed his dislike for the notion of entertaining royalty and heads of state in tents on the South Lawn.
In a social media announcement, Trump stated that the project would be finished “with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.”
The ballroom represents the most significant structural alteration to the Executive Mansion since the 1948 construction of the Truman Balcony, which faces the South Lawn, and it will even overshadow the residence itself.
During a dinner he held last week for several affluent business leaders contributing to the $250 million construction expenses, Trump stated that the project's scope has expanded and it will now house 999 individuals. The capacity was previously announced as 650 seated guests in July.
The White House stated its intention to reveal details about financial contributions for the ballroom's construction, though this information hasn't been released yet.
At last week's event, Trump also mentioned that the CEO of Carrier Global Corp., a prominent maker of HVAC systems, had pledged to provide the air conditioning unit for the ballroom.
The Associated Press received confirmation from Carrier on Monday that this action had been taken. A precise cost figure wasn't provided at that moment.
“Carrier is honored to provide the new iconic ballroom at the White House with a world-class, energy-efficient HVAC system, bringing comfort to distinguished guests and dignitaries in this historic setting for years to come,” the company said in an emailed statement.
In September, tree removal commenced on the southern grounds, alongside other site preparations for the upcoming construction. The ballroom is slated for completion prior to the conclusion of Trump’s term in January 2029.