The White House is tearing down parts of its East Wing to build a new 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom for President Donald Trump. Construction began on Monday, but officials say the work is still un‑approved by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the agency that oversees changes to federal buildings in Washington, D.C.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X that the ballroom will keep the “People’s House” “serving the American people and their presidents for centuries.” She also said the East Wing offices—home to the First Lady—will move temporarily while the wing is modernised. The wing, built in 1902, has been updated several times, including a second story added in 1942.
Trump announced the start of the project on social media, describing it as a “beautiful and much‑needed” space that will replace the oversized East Room, which can hold about 200 guests. He stressed the cost would be covered privately by donors, saying, “Zero cost to the American taxpayer.” Trump has insisted the ballroom will not touch the historic White House structure and will not interfere with previous renovations.
Construction crews have been seen blasting away sections of the East Wing façade, and photographs show broken windows and rubble on the ground. Reporters watching from a nearby park noted the scale of the demolition work. The White House claims the project will finish before Trump’s term ends in January 2029.
The NCPC, which approved major White House renovations in the past, has not yet cleared the plans. Its chairman, Will Scharf, who also serves as White House staff secretary, told the commission last month that federal property demolition “doesn’t fall under our jurisdiction.” Because of a federal shutdown, the NCPC’s offices are closed, and the commission has not issued a decision.
The White House has said it will publish a list of donors who funded the project, but no details have been released so far. The move has drawn criticism from some who view the new ballroom as unnecessary and a costly one‑off for the next president. The approval process could take weeks or months, depending on NCPC review and any political pushback.
Source: ianslive
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