Michael LaRosa, a close advisor to former first lady Jill Biden, expressed that the demolition of the White House’s East Wing is “sad” yet “probably necessary.”
In an appearance on “Sunrise on the Hill” on Friday, LaRosa, who previously served as Biden’s press secretary, said, “It’s sad. I spent time in the Oval Office, which was really nice, and only a couple of hours post-inauguration, I found myself there for nearly two years.”
He continued, “It’s heartbreaking, emotional, and sad. But I think every first family, every president, should have a hand in evolving, updating, modernizing, and sometimes even expanding the White House.”
LaRosa noted, “There’s no question that a banquet hall is likely needed,” though he also acknowledged the sadness surrounding the East Wing’s demolition, saying, “I feel it too.”
He highlighted examples of changes made by past presidents, referencing Harry Truman’s modifications to the White House interior and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s expansion of the West Wing.
LaRosa took issue with claims that the East Wing’s demolition wasn’t necessary for the new ballroom, arguing that this perspective undermines the historical significance of the roles various first families have played in the White House’s evolution.
The demolition process for the East Wing began on Monday and wrapped up by Thursday. The goal was to create space for a banquet hall, a decision that has faced backlash from both politicians and preservationists.
Concerns have been raised regarding the costs associated with the ballroom and the choice to demolish the entire East Wing. Initially, President Trump projected the price for the banquet hall at $200 million, but that figure later increased to $300 million. He had also previously assured that the East Wing would not be entirely torn down.
In a press release on Tuesday, the White House characterized the ballroom as a “bold and necessary addition that aligns with the state’s rich history of improvements and renovations.” The release further criticized what it termed “unfree leftists and their fake news allies” for their outraged reactions, labeling it as “the latest instance of manufactured indignation.”
