Demolition team on Monday began tearing down a section of the White House East Wing, marking the start of construction for President Donald Trump’s long-desired $250 million ballroom addition.
The activity, which was visually confirmed by photographs and eyewitness accounts, saw a backhoe ripping into a portion of the structure. This initial phase of the project contradicts President Trump’s earlier pledge that the construction would not “interfere” with the existing White House building.
President Trump acknowledged the construction during remarks in the East Room, gesturing to the area behind him and noting the audible sounds of work. He later posted on his Truth Social platform that the “much-needed project” had begun, adding, “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.”
The ballroom is intended to be a large, modern venue for official events, replacing the East Room as the primary entertaining space.
The move has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue the project reflects misplaced priorities.
Rep. Darren Soto (D-Florida) sharply criticized the development, writing on social media, “Trump’s billionaire ballroom. This is a disgrace. Welcome to the Second Gilded Age.”
The demolition crews, which included Secret Service personnel observing from nearby vantage points, are working on a section of the East Wing that houses offices, including those of the First Lady. The full scope of the renovation is expected to be one of the most significant changes to the Executive Mansion in over a century.
