In brief
The Trump administration has confirmed that the East Wing of the White House, which was built in 1902, will be completely demolished by the weekend to make way for a new ballroom. The decision has sparked controversy, as the National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed concerns about the project's impact on the historic landmark. Despite the outcry, President Trump expressed enthusiasm for the construction, linking it to economic growth.
The entirety of the East Wing of the White House will be demolished within days, two Trump administration officials have said. Construction crews began demolishing parts of the structure on Monday, and the entire demolition is expected to be completed by the weekend, according to the officials speaking to CBS News.
This marks a significant expansion of a construction project announced by President Donald Trump over the summer. He had previously stated that his $250 million (£186 million) addition would not interfere with the existing structure of the White House.
The White House has served as the historic home of the U.S. president for two centuries, with the East Wing being constructed in 1902. The last significant modifications were made in 1942.
Trump revealed on social media that construction had commenced, stating 'ground has been broken' for the 'much-needed' ballroom space, stressing its historical significance for accommodating grand events for past presidents.
He described the East Wing as 'completely separate' from the main White House, although it is structurally attached. Trump administration officials indicated that during planning, it became apparent that modernizing the East Wing was best achieved through complete demolition.
Despite the optimism from Trump, who noted the sounds of construction as 'music to my ears,' the National Trust for Historic Preservation raised alarms about the demolition. The non-profit organization penned a letter urging a pause on the work, citing the need for a public review process for what they view as a national historic landmark.
