Trump Defends $250 Million White House East Wing Demolition for New Ballroom: "Music to My Ears"

East Wing of the White House is being demolished to build a new grand ballroom. (File)

United States:

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed criticism regarding the demolition of part of the White House for a new ballroom construction, stating that the construction sounds were "music to my ears."

Democrats, including former first lady Hillary Clinton, criticized the Republican president for disrespecting the presidential residence after excavators removed the facade of the building's East Wing.

"We're building a world-class ballroom," Trump declared during a lunch with Republican senators at the White House while machinery noises could be heard in the background.

"You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back. You hear that sound? Oh, that's music to my ears. I love that sound."

The 79-year-old real estate magnate assured that taxpayers would not bear any costs of the $250-million project.

"When I hear that sound it reminds me of money. In this case it reminds of lack of money because I'm paying for it," he remarked about the demolition noise.

Trump has indicated that he is partially funding the giant ballroom construction while private and corporate donors will finance the remainder.

Last week, Trump hosted an elegant dinner for donors including representatives from major US tech companies, though the White House has not yet released a guest list or financial details.

AFP journalists observed demolition work continuing for a second day on the East Wing, which traditionally houses the offices of US first ladies.

'Pearl-clutching'

One former East Wing occupant led criticism against Trump's project.

"It's not his house. It's your house. And he's destroying it," stated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose husband Bill Clinton served as president from 1993 to 2001, and who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election.

Other Democrats drew parallels between this renovation and Trump's dramatic efforts to reshape federal government and target political opponents.

"The demolition of the East Wing feels very symbolic of what Trump is doing to our democracy," Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono posted on X. "He'll lie about protecting it, then destroy it right in front of your face."

Senior Senator Elizabeth Warren commented that while Americans faced "skyrocketing" living costs, "Donald Trump can't hear you over the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House to build a new grand ballroom."

The White House dismissed what it called "pearl-clutching" from critics.

"In the latest instance of manufactured outrage, unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump's visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House," it stated in an official release.

It described the ballroom as "a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and renovations" by presidents.

The White House also highlighted renovations undertaken by previous administrations — including what it described as President Barack Obama's upgrade of the tennis court into a full basketball court.

Trump has initiated a significant redesign of the White House during his second term — including paving over the grass of the Rose Garden, where he hosted the Republican senators.

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