The entirety of the East Wing of the White House will be demolished within days, confirmed by two Trump administration officials. Construction crews began the process on Monday, with the expectation that the tear-down will be complete by the weekend, according to CBS, a partner of BBC's US news.
This demolition signifies a substantial expansion of a summer construction project announced by President Donald Trump, who previously stated that his $250 million (£186 million) ballroom addition would not interfere with the existing structure.
Having served as the presidential residence for over two centuries, the White House's East Wing was constructed in 1902 and last modified in 1942. Trump recently announced via social media that the construction work had begun, describing the new ballroom space as 'much-needed.'
He emphasized the significance of the ballroom for presidential functions, saying, 'For more than 150 years, every President has dreamed of having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc.' He stated that the East Wing is 'completely separate' from the main building, although physically connected.
Trump administration officials justified the demolition by alleging that modernization of the East Wing was necessary to enhance security and technology. During planning, it became evident that a complete demolition was the best path forward.
Trump has described the sound of construction as 'music to my ears,' adding that such developments remind him of financial prosperity. Meanwhile, the National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed its grave concerns over the demolition, urging a public review process due to the White House's status as a national historic landmark.
