US begins tearing down section of White House as part of Trump project
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump announced that construction of a ballroom has begun on the White House grounds, with part of the building already being demolished, according to his social media post and NBC News.
Demolition work on a section of the White House’s East Wing, part of Trump’s project, began on Monday, October 20. The media first reported the development, citing an administration official, and the president soon confirmed it publicly.
“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete,” Trump wrote.
He added that for more than 150 years, every president has dreamed of a White House ballroom to host formal receptions, state visits, and other events.
“I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer,” the president emphasized.
According to Trump, the White House ballroom is being funded through private sources, by many generous patriots, major American companies, and, humbly, your obedient servants.
“This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!,” Trump concluded.
Footage has also appeared on social media showing that demolition work has already begun.
Earlier in July, Trump said the project would not interfere with the current building.
“It’ll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he said at the time.
The White House, for its part, did not immediately respond to NBC News’ questions about which part of the building is slated for demolition or why this is happening, despite Trump’s recent assurances that the main White House structure would remain untouched.
In September, the US leader stated that the ballroom would accommodate up to 900 people - nearly 40% more than the originally planned capacity of 650.
The project’s initial cost was estimated at $200 million. However, at a dinner for the ballroom’s major donors last week, Trump confirmed that the new price would be around $250 million.
NBC notes that the project could become the most significant physical change to the White House since the 1940s, when President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the East Wing in 1942, followed by President Harry Truman’s addition of the eponymous balcony on the South Portico in 1948.
Other White House events
Earlier in the summer of 2025, Trump announced that a UFC tournament would take place on the White House grounds. A few weeks ago, he clarified that the fights would be held on his birthday.
Trump said that next year, on June 14, a major UFC fight would take place on the White House grounds.
That will be the day he turns 80.
