Published: November 10, 2025
The President began demolishing the East Wing of the White House on October 20, without warning. The public only learned of the project after it had already begun, and by October 29th, the East Wing was already gone. Donald Trump has discussed this project for several years, but began pushing for it after being re-elected to office in January. The new ballroom is projected to cost $300 million and be almost twice the size of the White House itself. At a projected size of 90,000 square feet, as opposed to the White House’s 55,000 square feet, the ballroom has no set date for when it’ll be done. Additionally, demolition has commenced, but was not approved by the National Capital Planning Commission, nor have any floor plans been submitted due to the government shutdown.
Furniture, art, and all other furnishings were taken out of the East Wing over the course of the summer by White House curator staff. Anything that the East Wing was home to is safe and stored, but the East Wing is still gone. The wing was where the operations of each First Lady and their staff would take place, until now. Planning for holidays and events also occurred in the East wing. The situation is still unfolding, but as of now, the East Wing has been leveled and will be turned into a new ballroom at some point.
