The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump's ballroom

"WASHINGTON The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Trump's $250 million ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects. Dramatic photos of the demolition work showed construction equipment tearing into the East Wing facade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground."

"Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next to the East Wing. Trump announced the start of construction in a social media post and referenced the work while hosting 2025 college baseball champs Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the East Room. He noted the work was happening "right behind us." "We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically," he said, adding, "It just started today.""

"Its chairman, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary and one of Trump's top aides, said at the commission's September meeting that agency does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property. "What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build," Scharf said last month. It was unclear whether the White House had submitted the ballroom plans for the agency's review and approval."

The White House began demolishing part of the East Wing to construct a $250 million ballroom for President Trump without sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission. Photographs show heavy machinery ripping into the East Wing facade, with windows and other building parts strewn on the ground. Reporters observed the work from a nearby park. Trump announced the start on social media and mentioned the work while hosting college baseball champions in the East Room. The commission's chairman, Will Scharf, said the agency lacks jurisdiction over demolition and site preparation, and the commission's offices were closed because of a government shutdown.

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