Trump Starts Tearing Down Part Of White House To Make Way For New Ballroom

A demolition crew began tearing down the East Wing of the White House on Monday to make room for President Donald Trump’s gargantuan new ballroom, a 90,000-square-foot behemoth reported to cost $250 million.Trump acknowledged the construction in a social media post. “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc.,” he wrote. “I am honoured to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!”Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House on Oct. 20 before construction of a new ballroom.The Trump administration downplayed the extent of the plans when they were first revealed in July, saying in a statement that the addition would be “substantially separated from the main building of the White House” and cost $200 million.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt simply said at the time that the East Wing was “going to be modernised,” while Trump claimed that the new event space would “pay total respect to the existing building.”But photos of the White House taken Monday show a large excavator clawing away sections of the East Wing while workers aim a hose at the gaping holes.Workers demolish the facade of the East Wing of the White House.Over the summer, Trump asserted that his background in high-end real estate development made him uniquely qualified to solve what he characterised as the problem of holding large events at the White House.As it stands, hosting more than 200 people requires tents to be set up in the yard.The Trump administration is … tearing down the East Wing currently. pic.twitter.com/l4YUOrxJ1e— Nikki Schwab (@NikkiSchwab) October 20, 2025Trump harbours a particular animus against tents. He explained at one point that tents require women “with their lovely evening gowns, and their hair all done” to “schlop” down to their seats, ending up “a mess.”Trump told NBC News last month that the new space will accommodate some 900 people, up from the 650-guest plan initially announced.The White House has emphasised in its messaging that the East Wing has been altered at several different points in its 120-year history — perhaps anticipating the public reaction to images of heavy machinery demolishing a huge section of the People’s House.Trump's new ballroom will be slathered in his favorite color: gold.The president has also raised ethical concerns with the project’s funding, as he is paying for the addition with donor funds. That opens the door to allegations of pay-for-play policy-making. “The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!”The East Wing renovation will cost an estimated $250 million, up from the original estimate of $200 million.The New York Times reported last week that “more than three dozen” people — including representatives from Google, Meta, Palantir, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, HP and Lockheed Martin — attended a dinner where Trump thanked those who donated to his ballroom. A settlement Trump reached with YouTube in September also netted $22 million for his ballroom fund.In his second term, Trump appears intent on leaving a lasting mark on the White House and its grounds. So far he has erected two towering flag poles, paved the Rose Garden’s grassy centre, gilded the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, and installed his own childish take on a presidential portrait gallery.

Comments

Breaking news

Prince Andrew hasn’t paid rent on 30-room Royal mansion for 22 years

Metro

More woe for Reeves as government borrowing hits new September record outside of Covid… with MPs clamouring for 'wealth taxes' at Budget

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Police arrest 32 people after swooping on retailers selling stolen goods in Britain's biggest ever counter-shoplifting operation

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

The late Queen's cheeky request for British sitcom The Good Life - and why she adored the show

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Ex-ballerina, 70, 'did not advise gardener how to ride quad bike before he was crushed to death on her £2.5million estate because 'it would be like teaching granny to suck eggs'', court hears

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Julia Roberts just stepped out in Princess Beatrice's go-to shirt - here's exactly how she styled it

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

The Prince Harry interview that left the Royals reeling and resumed the war against them, with even Downing Street forced to issue a statement!

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

'Holy grail' blood test that can detect up to 50 types of cancer may be even more effective than thought, researchers discover

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Mark Wahlberg drops a whopping $37M on stunning 'Billionaires Row' mansion in Florida after fleeing Hollywood

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

I know why Prince Harry and Andrew were 'cut so much slack' by the late Queen - it's to do with her father and sister, reveals ROBERT HARDMAN

about 3 hours ago

Do you own this fashion item? If you do 'it's a tell tale sign that you're over 31'

Dailymail

Comments

Similar News

Disgraced former lawmaker George Santos appears on Fox News days after Trump pardon: ‘I owe the American people an apology’

Bernie Sanders gives credit to Trump for acknowledging that the ‘system is broken’ during Jon Stewart interview

Trump tells Australian ambassador to his face: ‘I don’t like you either’

Demolition begins on White House East Wing for Trump's &#163;186m ballroom

Map Shows Donald Trump’s Approval Rating in Each State After Nine Months

Kenny Loggins Puts Donald Trump On Blast For Using His Song In That Sh**ty AI Video

Trump’s wrecking crew starts East Wing demolition for White House ballroom: ‘More damage than the British did in 1814’

White House Secret Group Targeting Donald Trump’s Enemies: Report

Bernie Sanders Doesn't Hide His Disgust Over Trump S**tting On Protesters In AI Video

Donald Trump Mansplains To Female Journalist: ‘If You Knew Anything…’

Chicago Mayor Johnson: Tyrant Trump Has 'Declared War on the City'

G.O.P. Senators Oppose Trump Watchdog Nominee After Report of Racist Texts

China Has Another Lever to Pull in Showdown With Trump: Factory Lines

The Republicans Who Denounce Trump Nominee Ingrassia After Leaked Texts

Belize signs 'safe third country' agreement as part of Trump's immigration crackdown

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump ‘doesn’t think Kyiv will win’ after demanding Zelensky cede land to Putin

Trump Suggests Buying Argentine Beef to Lower Prices, Help Argentina 'Survive'

Putin is on the brink of disaster in Ukraine and is facing the wrath of his own rebellious people... but this is the nauseating reason why Donald Trump refuses to topple him: MARK ALMOND

White House denies report Trump is 'considering' commuting Diddy's prison sentence

Trump Comments on Jack Ciattarelli&#039;s Race for New Jersey Governor

Breaking news

Prince Andrew hasn’t paid rent on 30-room Royal mansion for 22 years

Death row gran Lindsay Sandiford to return to the UK after 12 years in Indonesian jail

British Airways passenger flew into such a rage he had to be cuffed to his seat

Stefan Dennis Leaves Strictly Come Dancing Due To Injury

Kenny Loggins Puts Donald Trump On Blast For Using His Song In That Sh**ty AI Video

'A Shameful Day': LBC Presenter Hits Out After Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Banned From Aston Villa Game

Wicked Unveils 'Celebrated Actor' Playing Cowardly Lion In Sequel

'Step Forward': Marjorie Taylor Greene Delivers Blunt Message To Prince Andrew Over Epstein Allegations

Israel identifies the remains of a hostage as Hamas says it is committed to ending the war

UK Government borrowing surges to highest September figure in five years

Dozens of Pizza Hut restaurants to shut as company behind venues enters administration

Man killed by falling tree branch, pedestrian blown into traffic as storm lashes parts of New Zealand

Trump’s wrecking crew starts East Wing demolition for White House ballroom: ‘More damage than the British did in 1814’

Business news live - Government borrowing in September hits highest level since Covid

Former NatWest executive David Lindberg appointed HSBC UK boss

MP begins campaign to save Bellshill's Bank of Scotland branch

Keir Starmer claims John Swinney 'insulting the intelligence' of Scots with 'secret plan' for referendum

Drug mule gran to be released from Indonesia jail after 12 years on death row

SNP urges Prince Andrew stripped of dukedom 'without further delay'

Virginia Giuffre 'would have viewed Prince Andrew giving up titles as a victory'

Family won't face charges after young girl fell off Disney Cruise ship while posing for photo

Top Strathaven pub reclaims Lanarkshire Pub of the Year title

Incoming Oxford Union president loses confidence vote sparked by Charlie Kirk comments - but disputes result

Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler charged with rape of 13 year old girl

Ex-DWP worker shares major tips for claiming PIP and other benefits

UK government respond as Maccabi Tel Aviv take action over Aston Villa ticket ban

Drug mule gran Lindsay Sandiford to return to UK after 12 years on death row in Indonesia

'I've had to quit spaghetti bolognese after starting popular drug'

Urgent search for pregnant woman as police tell public 'call 999' if you see her

Boy pretended to be asleep as killer stood in his bedroom doorway - and his quick thinking helped catch him

Biggest Prince Andrew bombshell claims as Virginia Giuffre's long-awaited book hit shelves

Oxford Union president-elect who 'celebrated' the death of Charlie Kirk is ousted after vote of no confidence

British grandmother who has spent 12 years on death row in Indonesia is to be sent back to the UK

Biden completes round of radiation therapy for cancer as daughter Ashley says ex president has been 'so damn brave'

More woe for Reeves as government borrowing hits new September record outside of Covid… with MPs clamouring for 'wealth taxes' at Budget

Police arrest 32 people after swooping on retailers selling stolen goods in Britain's biggest ever counter-shoplifting operation

The late Queen's cheeky request for British sitcom The Good Life - and why she adored the show

Ex-ballerina, 70, 'did not advise gardener how to ride quad bike before he was crushed to death on her £2.5million estate because 'it would be like teaching granny to suck eggs'', court hears

Julia Roberts just stepped out in Princess Beatrice's go-to shirt - here's exactly how she styled it

The Prince Harry interview that left the Royals reeling and resumed the war against them, with even Downing Street forced to issue a statement!

'Holy grail' blood test that can detect up to 50 types of cancer may be even more effective than thought, researchers discover

Mark Wahlberg drops a whopping $37M on stunning 'Billionaires Row' mansion in Florida after fleeing Hollywood

I know why Prince Harry and Andrew were 'cut so much slack' by the late Queen - it's to do with her father and sister, reveals ROBERT HARDMAN

Do you own this fashion item? If you do 'it's a tell tale sign that you're over 31'

Highest government borrowing in September for five years

Almond-sized crab and tiny lantern shark discovered in Australia

Can McLaren continue to play fair and stop Verstappen? - F1 Q&A

Blue Jays set up World Series meeting with Dodgers

Vance Heads to Israel as U.S. Tries to Shore Up Gaza Cease-Fire Deal