US President Donald Trump is demolishing part of the White House to build an impressive ballroom, although he does not have official approval
Construction workers began demolishing part of the East Wing on Monday White houses so that at the request of the President of the United States Donald Trump built a $250 million ballroom. The federal agency in charge of such projects did not approve the construction.
Photos of the work show how construction machines are demolishing the facade of the East Wing, windows and other parts of the building.
Trump announced the start of construction on social networks, and he also mentioned them during a meeting with baseball teams from American college which was organized in the East Room of the White House. He said that the works are taking place "right behind us", reports AP.
"We have a lot of work going on, which you can hear from time to time. It just started today," Trump said.
"I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom... The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly." - President Trump pic.twitter.com/GibeLevvFP
- The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 20, 2025
The White House followed up with a massive construction project despite not receiving approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations of government buildings in the Washington area.
The chairman of that commission, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary and one of Trump's top aides, said at a commission meeting in September that the agency has no jurisdiction over demolition or preparatory work at the site.
"What we're doing is basically construction, vertical construction," Scharf said last month. It's unclear whether the White House even submitted plans for the ballroom to the agency for approval.
Trump said in July, when the project was announced, that the ballroom would not disturb the mansion itself.
"It's going to be close to it, but it's not going to touch it, and it's going to be totally respectful of the existing building, which I'm a big fan of," Trump said of the White House.
The east wing contains several offices, including those of the First Lady. It was built in 1902 and has been renovated over the years, with a second floor added in 1942.
Secretary for press White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said those offices in the East Wing will be temporarily relocated during construction and that wing of the building will be modernized and renovated.
"Nothing will be demolished," Leavitt said when she announced the project in July.
Trump insists that presidents have wanted such a ballroom for 150 years and that a massive 90.000-square-foot, glass-walled space will be added because the East Room, which is the largest room in the White House with a capacity of approximately 200 people, is too small.
He said he did not like the idea of kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers being hosted in pavilions on the South Lawn.
Trump said in a statement on social media that the project would be completed "at no cost to the American people." taxpayers".
"The White House Ballroom is privately funded by many generous patriots and major American companies," Trump wrote.
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