Nationwide — President Trump is moving ahead with a $200 million plan to demolish and rebuild the East Wing of the White House, part of a major expansion that includes a new ballroom large enough to host 900 guests.
According to Trump administration officials, crews have already begun tearing down parts of the East Wing. What was initially described as a small ballroom addition has turned into a complete reconstruction. According to NBC News, a White House spokesperson confirmed that the entire section will be modernized and rebuilt, though the full design is still being finalized.
Built in 1942 under Franklin D. Roosevelt, the East Wing has traditionally served as office space for first ladies and their staff. Trump’s redesign aims to replace it with a larger, more modern facility while preserving historic materials. These elements are being stored under the supervision of the National Park Service and the White House Historical Association for possible future use.
The ballroom construction began last month, and Trump said private donors will fund the project instead of taxpayers. Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company, reportedly donated $22 million as part of a legal settlement. Comcast and several other major companies are also among the listed donors.
Historic preservation groups, however, have voiced concern that the new ballroom could overpower the original White House design. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the administration to pause demolition until a full public review is held. The White House responded that such reviews aren’t yet required since only demolition work is underway and the property is exempt from most binding regulations due to its special status.
Despite criticism from lawmakers and historians, the Trump administration defended the project as part of a long tradition of modernizing the presidential residence. Trump called the ballroom a “bold and necessary addition” that would help maintain the White House as a “beacon of American excellence.”
The East Wing rebuild follows other major updates under Trump’s leadership, including renovations to the Rose Garden, Oval Office, and Cabinet Room, as well as the installation of two large flagpoles. The project is expected to be the most significant White House renovation since the Truman-era reconstruction.