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Residential construction

Trump Administration Begins Demolition of East Wing for New White House Ballroom

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The White House has launched a new construction project, starting with the demolition of the East Wing, to build a new ballroom for state dinners and other receptions. The project, which has been years in the planning, is being led by President Donald Trump, who has said that every president since the White House was built has dreamed of having a ballroom. The new ballroom, which will be paid for by Trump and "other patriot donors," is expected to be completed before Trump's second term ends in January 2029 at an estimated cost of $200m (PS150m).

Key Takeaways:

  • The White House has begun demolishing the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom.
  • The project, which has been years in the planning, is being led by President Donald Trump.
  • Trump has said that every president since the White House was built has dreamed of having a ballroom.
  • The new ballroom will have space for around 1,000 people, compared to the East Room's 200-person capacity.
  • The project will be paid for by Trump himself and "other patriot donors," according to White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt.
  • The work is reportedly separate from the White House itself, with the East Wing being fully modernized as part of the process.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission, which is responsible for approving construction and major renovations to government buildings, has not yet approved the construction.
  • The commission's chairman, Will Scharf, is also the White House staff secretary and a top aide to Trump.

Statistics:

  • The new ballroom will have space for around 1,000 people.
  • The East Room, currently the largest room in the White House, can only accommodate 200 people.
  • The construction project is estimated to cost $200m (PS150m).

Sources:

  • "White House begins East Wing demolition for 'big, beautiful' ballroom" by Andrew Buncombe, THE White House has begun tearing down the East Wing to construct a new ballroom for Donald Trump.
  • Truth Social social media platform posts by President Donald Trump.

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