The White House has initiated demolition work on the East Wing to construct a new ballroom envisioned by President Donald Trump. The project, funded entirely by the president, aims to create a 90,000-square-foot event space inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Demolition crews began removing parts of the East Wing on Monday, with construction scheduled to conclude by the end of Trump’s term. The ballroom will be built adjacent to the historic East Wing, which has housed first lady offices and a bomb shelter. Trump emphasized the project’s scale, stating it would “not be topped” and reflecting his personal oversight of details.
The White House cited the need to expand event capacity, noting the East Room currently seats 200 guests. Trump described the ballroom as “one of the best anywhere in the world,” funded without taxpayer money. Construction includes extending the East Wing southward, with trees already removed to make way for the addition.
The project’s $200 million cost was highlighted by Trump during a speech hosting LSU baseball teams, where he referenced plans to integrate elements from the East Room into the new space. Reports indicated Secret Service personnel and others observed the demolition from nearby locations.
