Demolition of White House East Wing Commences for New Ballroom Construction
The White House has begun demolishing part of the East Wing to construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a project funded by private donations and expected to be completed before the end of President Trump's term.
Demolition of a portion of the White House East Wing began on Monday to make way for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a project championed by President Donald Trump. The construction is privately funded and estimated to cost $250 million.
The East Wing, traditionally housing the first lady's offices and other workspaces, is being partially dismantled. Staff from affected offices have been relocated to other areas within the White House complex.
President Trump addressed the construction during an event in the East Room, stating, "You know, we're building right behind us. We're building a ballroom. They've wanted a ballroom for 150 years, and I'm giving that honor to this wonderful place."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has expressed concern over the demolition, urging the administration to pause the process until the project undergoes the legally required public review. In a letter, the organization emphasized the importance of transparency and public engagement in preserving the White House's historical integrity.
The White House has stated that the East Wing will be modernized as part of the ballroom construction and will "pay total respect to the existing building."
Source
CNNRelated News
Fact-checking
Fact-check the facts of the article using external sources and databases.