The White House has begun demolishing part of its historic East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump’s ambitious new ballroom project. The demolition started on Monday, October 20, 2025, marking a significant transformation in the White House complex that has not been seen in over a century.

Located near the Treasury Department, the East Wing traditionally houses the offices of the First Lady, a theater, and serves as an entrance for foreign dignitaries. The demolition involves tearing down the facade and exterior windows of a section of this wing to accommodate Trump’s planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a project he announced in July 2025. Trump has repeatedly assured that the new ballroom would not “interfere” with the main White House building, emphasizing its separation from the landmark structure.

“The East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, referring to the ballroom as a “new, grand, beautiful White House Ballroom.” The President envisions the ballroom accommodating up to 999 guests, a sizable upgrade from the current East Room, which can seat around 200.

Estimated to cost approximately $250 million, Trump claimed the project would be privately funded by himself and donors, ensuring no expense to taxpayers. During a White House event celebrating the NCAA champion Louisiana State University baseball team, Trump remarked, “They’ve wanted a ballroom here for 150 years, and I’m giving that honor to this wonderful place.”

The demolition has drawn scrutiny from preservationists and political critics due to the scale and impact on the historic East Wing, constructed in 1942. The White House has stated that no consent was required from the National Capital Planning Commission for demolition, though formal approval is still needed for the ballroom construction. This commission is currently closed due to a government shutdown.

Photos and eyewitness accounts show heavy machinery actively dismantling the entrance and exterior walls, with debris clearing ongoing. Several staff offices and operations traditionally based in the East Wing have already been relocated.

Experts note this development is the biggest structural change to the presidential residence since its expansion in the early 20th century. It signals Trump’s intent to leave a lasting architectural legacy while continuing to redefine the role and appearance of the White House.

As construction progresses, it will remain to be seen how the project navigates heritage regulations, political debate, and the logistical challenges of building such a vast entertainment space adjacent to one of America’s most iconic landmarks.