On October 20, 2025, the White House found itself at the center of a construction zone—and a political firestorm—as heavy machinery began demolishing part of the historic East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump’s ambitious $250 million ballroom project. The sight of excavators tearing into the building’s façade sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., and beyond, sparking heated debate over the most significant physical change to the Executive Mansion in nearly eight decades.
According to The Washington Post, the demolition began early Monday, with photos and videos quickly circulating online. The images showed windows shattered, walls crumbling, and construction crews methodically dismantling a portion of the East Wing—traditionally home to the first lady’s offices and staff. The dramatic visuals fueled both fascination and outrage, especially as the White House remained tight-lipped in response to mounting questions from the press.
President Trump himself confirmed the start of construction during a speech that same day, telling an audience in the East Room, “We’re building right behind us. We’re building a ballroom.” He added, “I didn’t know I’d be standing here right now, because right on the other side, you have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically.” Later, on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Ground has been broken on the White House to build the new ballroom.”
The ballroom, Trump explained, will be a 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space, capable of accommodating up to 999 guests—far surpassing the East Room’s approximate 200-person capacity. “We’ll have the most beautiful ballroom in the country,” Trump declared at a recent event, echoing his longstanding assertion that U.S. presidents have desired such a venue for 150 years. “There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms. I’m good at building things and we’re going to build quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful, top, top of the line.”
Plans for the ballroom were first announced in July 2025, with the White House stating that it would be constructed “where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits,” but would remain “substantially separated from the main building of the White House.” Trump was quick to reassure preservationists and critics alike: “It’ll be near it but not touching it—and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it.”
Still, the demolition has not been without controversy. The National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency responsible for approving major renovations to government buildings in the capital, has not yet signed off on the project. Its chairman, Will Scharf—who also serves as the White House staff secretary—stated in September that the agency does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work on federal property. “What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” Scharf explained. With the commission’s offices closed due to the ongoing government shutdown, it remains unclear whether the White House has submitted the ballroom plans for review.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, previously stated that offices in the East Wing would be temporarily relocated during construction and that the wing would be “fully modernized and renovated.” When the project was announced in July, she insisted, “Nothing will be torn down.” That claim now rings hollow to some, as images of the torn-down façade circulate widely.
The renovation’s price tag has also ballooned. While initial estimates hovered around $200 million, Trump confirmed at a donor dinner last week that the total cost would be closer to $250 million. The President has repeatedly emphasized that the ballroom is being financed entirely through private donations, insisting, “The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.” Among the companies represented at last week’s celebration were Amazon, Coinbase, Google, T-Mobile, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin. The White House has promised to disclose donor information but has yet to do so.
One notable contribution comes from Carrier Global Corp., a leading manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The company confirmed to the Associated Press that it would donate a world-class, energy-efficient HVAC system for the new ballroom. “Carrier is honored to provide the new iconic ballroom at the White House with a world-class, energy-efficient HVAC system, bringing comfort to distinguished guests and dignitaries in this historic setting for years to come,” the company said in a statement.
Trump, known for his penchant for opulence, has not shied away from touting the ballroom’s features. At the donor dinner, he reportedly told guests that the venue would include bulletproof glass and be capable of hosting a presidential inauguration. He also lamented the current practice of hosting large gatherings in temporary tents on the South Lawn, quipping, “When it rains or snows, it’s a disaster.”
Construction is being managed by McCrery Architects, with Clark Construction overseeing the build. The White House has stated that the project is expected to be completed long before the end of Trump’s current term, which concludes in January 2029. Clearing of trees and other site preparation work began in September, and the current demolition marks the most significant structural change to the White House since President Harry Truman’s addition of the South Portico balcony in 1948.
Yet, not everyone is pleased. The project has sparked criticism from lawmakers and the public alike. Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin has voiced concerns over the private funding and lack of congressional oversight, while Representative Mark Takano of California has proposed legislation to prohibit White House renovations during a government shutdown unless directly related to health or safety. Monday marked day 20 of the shutdown.
Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh went so far as to call the renovation an “utter desecration,” writing on social media, “If I ran for President in 2028, I’d run on taking a bulldozer to Trump’s ballroom, an utter desecration of the peoples’ house.” Human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid added, “Wealth & income inequality is at record highs in America, but glad we’re spending $250m on a vanity project.”
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration remains resolute. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has promised that officials will consult with appropriate organizations to preserve the White House’s “special history.” Trump, meanwhile, insists the project is a long-overdue improvement. “Presidents have wanted this for 150 years,” he said. “We’re finally getting it done.”
As demolition continues and the dust settles—literally and figuratively—one thing is certain: the White House will never look quite the same again.
