White House Begins Historic East Wing Demolition for Trump's $250 Million Privately-Funded Ballroom

The ballroom will represent the most significant structural modification to the Executive Mansion since 1948. (File)

Washington:

On Monday, the White House began demolishing portions of the East Wing, traditionally the first lady's operational base, to construct President Donald Trump's $250 million ballroom, despite lacking construction approval from the federal agency overseeing such projects.

Striking photos of the demolition showed construction equipment breaking through the East Wing facade with windows and building components scattered on the ground. Some journalists observed the activity from a park adjacent to the Treasury Department, which neighbors the East Wing.

Trump announced construction commencement via social media and referenced the work while hosting 2025 college baseball champions Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the East Room, noting that construction was happening "right behind us."

"We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically," he remarked, adding, "It just started today."

The White House has proceeded with this massive construction project despite not yet receiving approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which authorizes construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area.

The commission's chairman, Will Scharf, who also serves as White House staff secretary and one of Trump's senior aides, stated during the commission's September meeting that the agency lacks jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for federal property buildings.

"What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build," Scharf explained last month.

It remains unclear whether the White House had submitted the ballroom plans for the agency's review and approval. The White House did not respond to comment requests, and the commission's offices were closed due to the government shutdown.

The Republican president stated in July when announcing the project that the ballroom would not interfere with the mansion itself.

"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 regarding the White House.

The East Wing houses several offices, including the first lady's. Built in 1902 and renovated over the years, with a second story added in 1942, according to White House records.

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, indicated that East Wing offices would be temporarily relocated during construction and that wing would undergo modernization and renovation.

"Nothing will be torn down," Leavitt stated when announcing the project in July.

Trump maintains that presidents have desired such a ballroom for 150 years and that he's adding the massive 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space because the East Room, the White House's largest room with approximately 200-person capacity, is insufficient. He has also expressed dislike for hosting foreign dignitaries in South Lawn pavilions.

In his social media announcement, Trump declared that the project would be completed "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 will constitute the most significant structural change to the Executive Mansion since the 1948 addition of the Truman Balcony overlooking the South Lawn, even surpassing the residence itself in size.

During a dinner last week for wealthy business executives donating toward the $250 million construction cost, Trump revealed the project had expanded and would now accommodate 999 people, up from the 650 seated capacity announced in July.

The White House has committed to disclosing information about ballroom construction contributors but has yet to do so.

At last week's event, Trump also mentioned that Carrier Global Corp., a leading HVAC systems manufacturer, had offered to donate the ballroom's air conditioning system.

Carrier confirmed this donation to The Associated Press on Monday, though a cost estimate was not immediately available.

"Carrier is honoured 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 stated via email.

Site preparation work, including tree clearing on the south grounds, began in September. Plans indicate the ballroom should be completed before Trump's term concludes in January 2029.