White House Begins Demolition of East Wing for New Ballroom Construction

Demolition of the White House's East Wing began on Monday to facilitate the construction of a new ballroom, a project fully funded by private contributions.

During an event with the Louisiana State University baseball team, President Donald Trump acknowledged the ongoing construction, stating, "You know we're building — right behind us — we're building a ballroom."

The $250 million project is financed by private donors, including major corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, and Coinbase.

The new ballroom is designed to accommodate 999 guests, an increase from the initial estimate of 650, and will feature bulletproof glass windows on all sides.

The East Wing, traditionally housing the First Lady's office and staff, will undergo modernization and renovation during the construction period.

The National Capital Planning Commission, responsible for approving construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area, has not yet approved the construction. However, its chairman, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary, stated that the commission does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property.

The project is expected to be completed before the end of President Trump's term in January 2029.