Trump’s East Wing Demolition Begins for New White House Ballroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction crews began demolishing parts of the East Wing of the White House on October 20, 2025, to make way for President Donald Trump’s planned $250 million ballroom. The project aims to modernize the East Wing, a historic area that has long served as the traditional base for the first lady.

Photos from the scene showed heavy machinery tearing down sections of the East Wing’s façade, with large debris piles marking the commencement of the renovation. Trump announced the construction during a public event and on social media, emphasizing that the new ballroom would not interfere with the original structure of the White House.

“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamed about having a ballroom at the White House,” Trump stated in a social media post. He mentioned that the project is privately funded by “many generous Patriots” but did not disclose the names of any specific donors.

The White House East Wing, built in 1902 and last renovated in 1942, houses several offices, including that of the first lady. “The entire East Wing will be modernized during this construction,” a White House official confirmed, suggesting that plans exceed initial projections.

Construction will include an expansive ballroom capable of hosting nearly 1,000 guests. In contrast, the current East Room only accommodates about 200. Critics, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Society of Architectural Historians, have raised concerns about the scale and design of the changes, arguing that they may disrupt the historical integrity of the building.

“This is an important building, and such a significant change should go through a rigorous design and review process,” noted Dr. Carol Quillen, president of the National Trust. The National Capital Planning Commission has not yet approved the plans, even as demolition work is already underway.

As part of the changes, temporary relocations of East Wing offices have taken place, with necessary adjustments for security being coordinated by the Secret Service.

After initial skepticism about the ballroom project among some lawmakers and preservationists, Trump declared this renovation as a necessary enhancement for the executive residence. “Once complete, it will be a landmark space for future gatherings,” he added during a recent function.

Concerns about the financial implications and the lack of transparent funding for this extensive project continue to be raised, contributing to ongoing public discussions about the administration’s priorities regarding the historic building.