President Trump announced on Wednesday that the east wing of the White House will be completely torn down to make way for a new ballroom, a project set to cost $300 million.
In a briefing at the Oval Office, Trump showed a rendering of the revamped White House grounds, which he said would be completed by 2029. “To do it properly, we had to demolish the existing structure,” he explained.
He reassured that “certain areas will be left in place” and some materials from the current building, originally constructed in 1902, would be repurposed. “After researching with some of the world’s best architects, we concluded that tearing it down was the best option,” he emphasized.
When he first revealed plans for the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, Trump indicated that it would be situated near the current east wing rather than replacing it entirely. “It won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be close, but it won’t touch it,” he had stated back in July, claiming to be a fan of the existing structure.
Originally estimated at $200 million, the project’s cost had increased over time—first to $250 million—and now to $300 million, which is quite a step up from the initial figure. “We’re making it a little bit bigger. It’s going to be the best thing you can do anywhere in the world,” Trump mentioned in an interview last month.
On Wednesday, he reiterated the new estimate of “about $300 million,” asserting that funding would come solely from private donations.
Demolition of the east wing commenced on Monday, with construction crews seen dismantling the building’s entrance and removing debris from the upper floors. The east wing previously served as the first lady’s office and housed the social department, including graphics and calligraphy offices, and was constructed above an air raid shelter.
Trump spoke about the demolition footage, clarifying, “The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House. We don’t touch the White House.” He noted that the east wing had already undergone significant renovations, with its current form dating back to 1942, making it one of the more modern sections of the White House.
“As you know, the east wing wasn’t very big. There’s very little left of the original building,” he said. He further stated, “It was never thought of as a big deal. It was a very small building, and instead of detracting from it, it was a beautiful building that they had been looking for for years,” assuring that the new ballroom “will be one of the great ballrooms you’ll find anywhere in the world.”
A White House official shared that the east wing “is being modernized from its construction in 1902 and 1942,” adding that the scope of the project could change as the process develops.
