The privately funded ballroom will be approximately 90,000 square feet, much larger than the White House itself.
Key Facts
The entirety of the East Wing, which was built in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, will be demolished and “modernized,” unnamed White House officials told The New York Times and ABC News.
Trump in a Truth Social post announced the start of the ballroom’s construction Monday, nearly three months after he first revealed plans to build it without interfering with the East Wing, previously saying the ballroom project “pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
Since Trump’s comments, the White House has determined demolition of the East Wing was “cheaper and more structurally sound” than building an addition, the Times reported, noting the ballroom structure will have enhanced security features.
The East Wing’s facade could be seen being demolished Monday, with Trump stating the building, which has been home to the Office of the First Lady, the White House visitor’s entrance and more, “is being fully modernized as part of this process.
