Trump has completely demolished the East Wing of the White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — The entire East Wing of the White House has been demolished as President Donald Trump moves forward with construction of a ballroom, News photos showed Thursday.
The East Wing, where first ladies created history, planned state dinners and promoted causes, is now history itself. The two-story structure of ballrooms and offices, including work space for the first ladies and their staff, has become rubble, demolished as part of the Republican president’s plan to build what he said is now a $300 million ballroom, nearly twice the size of the White House.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Trump said Wednesday that keeping the East Wing would have “damaged a very, very expensive, beautiful building” that he said presidents have wanted for years. He said “some friends of mine and I” will pay for the ballroom at no cost to taxpayers.
Trump allowed demolition to begin this week despite not yet having approval from the relevant government agencies with jurisdiction over construction on federal property.
Preservationists have also urged the Trump administration to halt demolition until plans for the 90,000-square-foot (8,361-square-meter) ballroom can go through the required public review process.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation said the review process, including time for the public to comment on plans for the ballroom, “would provide a crucial opportunity for transparency and broad engagement, values that have guided the preservation of the White House under every administration, since the public competition in 1792 that produced the building’s original design.”
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
The Trust also expressed concern to the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Park Service, and the Fine Arts Commission that the size of the proposed ballroom would overwhelm the Executive Mansion, which measures 55,000 square feet (5,109 square meters) “and may permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House.”
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Forget the dance hallsHelp build anewsroom
Your supportFuelsOur Mission
Your supportFuelsOur Mission
Become a News themezone Member
When power gathers under gilded roofs, true journalism remains outside, asking the questions that matter. Join the News themezone membership and keep independent reporting strong for everyone.
We remain committed to bringing you the unwavering, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We are truly grateful for readers like you! Your early support helped get us here and strengthened our newsroom, keeping us strong in uncertain times. As we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to bringing you the unwavering, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We are truly grateful for readers like you! Your early support helped get us here and strengthened our newsroom, keeping us strong in uncertain times. As we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
News themezone Support
Are you already a member? Sign in to hide these messages.
Both committees have jurisdiction over changes in the White House. The Park Service manages the White House grounds and plays a role in the process, as several trees on the South Lawn have been cut down as part of construction. Both agencies are currently closed due to the government shutdown. Trump installed his top adviser Will Scharf as chairman of the planning commission.
The National Park Service said in August, after the White House announced the ballroom project, that it had provided guidance and support for historic preservation as part of a broader consultation process. He said final decisions are made by the Executive Office of the President.