Construction workers have begun demolishing part of the east wing to make way for a “new, big, beautiful” ballroom, the US president said.
A demolition crew has begun tearing down a section of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a spacious ballroom to be built in its place, US President Donald Trump announced.
Several media outlets and social networks have published photographs and images of the demolition.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump wrote that he was “I am pleased to announce that construction has begun on the White House grounds to build the new, grand and beautiful White House Ballroom.”
“For more than 150 years, every president has dreamed of having a ballroom in the White House to host people for big parties and state visits.” he stated. Trump emphasizes that “this very necessary project” would not cost the American taxpayer a single cent, since “is being privately funded by many generous patriots, great American businesses, and, honestly, yours truly.”
At a dinner with business leaders last week, Trump said companies including Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin and Coinbase are footing the bill for the $250 million project.
Trump has long deplored the fact that the White House lacks space spacious enough for state dinners and receptions, which have often been held on the South Lawn in temporary tents.
The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom is expected to include seating for 650 people, more than three times the space of the East Room, the largest event space in the White House today.
Democrats were quick to criticize the effort.
In a post on X on Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested that Trump is “trashing the White House the same way he is trashing the Constitution.”
Florida Senator Darren Soto said:“Trump’s multi-million dollar ballroom” it’s a “misfortune.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded by noting that “Construction has always been part of the evolution of the White House.”
“Losers who are quick to criticize need to stop clutching their pearls and understand that the building needs to be modernized.” wrote in X.
The last major reconstruction of the White House was completed in 1951 during the presidency of Harry Truman.