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Construction on US President Donald Trump's ambitious new ballroom has begun, leading to the demolition of the White House's East Wing. Onlookers witnessed cranes removing large sections of the covered entryway and windows, contradicting previous assurances that the ballroom would not touch the existing structure. The project, estimated at $250 million (approximately ฿8.89 billion), has sparked intrigue and concern.

 

The East Wing, a historic part of the White House built in 1902 and last altered in 1942, serves as an important symbol of presidential heritage. President Trump assured us that his new ballroom addition would "respect" existing architecture, describing the White House as his favourite place. Despite this, recent photographs reveal significant alterations underway on the building’s south side.

 

The construction site has drawn observers, curious about the unusual activity at the iconic site. Amidst the cranes and equipment, some adorned with U.S. flags, an anonymous onlooker wearing an anti-Trump slogan expressed disapproval of the changes. Her sentiments echoed a sense of unease among those who cherish the building's historic significance.

 

The White House, along with President Trump has yet to provide an official explanation for the apparent disregard of his initial pledges not to impact the existing structure, and the ballroom venture marks one of the most substantial renovations in recent history. 

 

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how the development will unfold and impact perceptions of the White House. As construction progresses, further plans and timelines are anticipated to emerge, shedding light on the ballroom's integration with the presidential residence.

 

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Key Takeaways

 

• Demolition of the White House East Wing has begun for Trump’s ballroom.
• Concerns arise over the impact on this historic structure despite prior assurances.
• Official responses from the White House and Trump are pending.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-21

 

 

So trump lied to satisfy his ego.

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

So trump lied to satisfy his ego.

Nothing  new in that, except that he is spending $250 million of US taxpayers money to do it, and not 1 cent of his own money,

35 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

I thought the funds were raised privately, and not government funds.

 

In any case, it is no surprise for Presidents to do modifations and renovations to the White House.  I believe Obama added a basektball court. The Oval Office was actually installed by Truman. etc etc

 

b-b-but Trump.....

I guess it is his right to do the modification but the stark disproportionality of his ballroom compare to Obama's basketball court or Biden's oval office re-decoration do seem OTT personal indulgence. 

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

Nothing  new in that, except that he is spending $250 million of US taxpayers money to do it, and not 1 cent of his own money,

Completely untrue.

Private donors are ponying up a large chunk of the cash, Trump is paying the remainder. And it is sorely needed.

My grandmother also used to put plastic covers over her furniture. Trump's one upping it with the 70s avocado colored wall paper and luminescent shag carpeting, according to Grok. 

 

 

 

 

Everyone's missing the big picture .

Looks like Donald will be permanently staying in the White House .

Its his forever home 

3 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Completely untrue.

Private donors are ponying up a large chunk of the cash, Trump is paying the remainder. And it is sorely needed.

In what way is a ballroom "sorely needed"?

19 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Completely untrue.

Private donors are ponying up a large chunk of the cash, Trump is paying the remainder. And it is sorely needed.

How is it “sorely needed “?

     There are all sorts of rules and regulations in place, as well as reviews and approvals needed by various groups, before massive work such as this is allowed to proceed with something like the historic White House.  Trump, of course, ignored all of it, while lying through his teeth about the construction.  Disgraceful behavior, as always.

20 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Completely untrue.

Private donors are ponying up a large chunk of the cash, Trump is paying the remainder. And it is sorely needed.

What is soley needed is he pay more time on matters that affect the people like the shutdown and not indulge in grandiose project to serve his vanity. 

11 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

What is soley needed is he pay more time on matters that affect the people like the shutdown and not indulge in grandiose project to serve his vanity. 

You think he isn't paying attention? How many world leaders has he seen? Agreements? Press conferences? Overseas trips?  Hell, he has seen Zelensky 4 times in 8 months!

 

You really don't want us to start comparing his activity level to his...predecessor... do you?

Just now, Hanaguma said:

You think he isn't paying attention? How many world leaders has he seen? Agreements? Press conferences? Overseas trips?  Hell, he has seen Zelensky 4 times in 8 months!

 

You really don't want us to start comparing his activity level to his...predecessor... do you?

Maybe you should compare what he achieved with all the travelling and meetings. Why not start with the number of bills that this House passed under Trump.   

 "It won't interfere with the current building. It won't be - it will be near it, but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of. It's my favorite." 
---- Trump

They could have invited the Canadians in. They have experience in destroying the White House. Maybe would have done it for free 

22 hours ago, billd766 said:

Nothing  new in that, except that he is spending $250 million of US taxpayers money to do it, and not 1 cent of his own money,

But according to the NYT and as he is extremely clever, he found the perfect solution for someone to pay for his ideas, as usual.

Trump Expects The Justice Department To Pay Him $230 Million: NYT

Following up on a series of cryptic remarks the president made last week, The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump is petitioning the Justice Department to reimburse him for the expenses he incurred defending himself against federal criminal investigations and charges.

According to the Times, Trump expects to receive a reimbursement that could total some $230 million. One of the two people who could approve his request is Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general who worked as Trump’s personal attorney, the paper said.

On 10/21/2025 at 10:35 AM, stevenl said:

So trump lied to satisfy his ego.

I'm shocked, who would possibly think that trump, President of the United States of America might lie?! These photos will go down in history as symbolic of the trump administration destruction or attempted destruction visited on my country. Oh, he certainly will go down in the history books but he and his supporters will go to their graves denouncing the documented history around the globe.

1 hour ago, chercheur888 said:

But according to the NYT and as he is extremely clever, he found the perfect solution for someone to pay for his ideas, as usual.

Trump Expects The Justice Department To Pay Him $230 Million: NYT

Following up on a series of cryptic remarks the president made last week, The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump is petitioning the Justice Department to reimburse him for the expenses he incurred defending himself against federal criminal investigations and charges.

According to the Times, Trump expects to receive a reimbursement that could total some $230 million. One of the two people who could approve his request is Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general who worked as Trump’s personal attorney, the paper said.

He is what he is. Consistent with that taking everything he can while he can. A growing cancer matastasized that needs to be removed  ...

Just now, Wrwest said:

He is what he is. Consistent with that taking everything he can while he can. A growing cancer matastasized that needs to be removed  ...

Whichever way it goes, the US taxpayer will end up footing the bill.

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Maybe you should compare what he achieved with all the travelling and meetings. Why not start with the number of bills that this House passed under Trump.   

Nice job moving the goalposts. The House is separate from the presidency.  The BB Bill went through, that was enough.  As for the shutdown of government, that is 100% on the Democrats in the Senate. The House passed a resolution to fund the government and the Dems in the Senate refuse to pass it.

 

At the moment he is juggling four international situations- China, Middle East, Russia/Ukraine, and South America. And making progress everywhere.  Plus deporting a record number of illegals.  

 

So yeah, I would say he is a bit busy...

4 hours ago, newnative said:

     There are all sorts of rules and regulations in place, as well as reviews and approvals needed by various groups, before massive work such as this is allowed to proceed with something like the historic White House.  Trump, of course, ignored all of it, while lying through his teeth about the construction.  Disgraceful behavior, as always.

Every new president remodels and redecorates the WH when they come to live there. I do not see you call it disgraceful for all of them. 

On 10/21/2025 at 11:19 AM, Hanaguma said:

I thought the funds were raised privately, and not government funds.

 

In any case, it is no surprise for Presidents to do modifations and renovations to the White House.  I believe Obama added a basektball court. The Oval Office was actually installed by Truman. etc etc

 

b-b-but Trump.....

Trump: ‘Lock Him Up!’: Trump’s Lie Backfires After Video Surfaces of Promise He’s Now Calling ‘Manufactured Outrage’ — and Photos Instantly Call His Bluff

3 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Nice job moving the goalposts. The House is separate from the presidency.  The BB Bill went through, that was enough.  As for the shutdown of government, that is 100% on the Democrats in the Senate. The House passed a resolution to fund the government and the Dems in the Senate refuse to pass it.

 

At the moment he is juggling four international situations- China, Middle East, Russia/Ukraine, and South America. And making progress everywhere.  Plus deporting a record number of illegals.  

 

So yeah, I would say he is a bit busy...

 

Let me summarize how wrong you are.

- BBB is unpopular and GOP losing battle of public opinion. Majority have negative perception.

- China, lost the market of farm products, rare earth and the trade deficit still there. No deals concluded.

- Middle East, no peace in Gaza yet and Iran still have the capabilities to enrich their uranium

- Russia/Ukraine, no peace in sight. His pledge and numerous meetings came and went.

- South America, war crimes and losing our key allies

- illegals deportation is less then Obama

 

Busy do not translate to achievement. This is because he has no clear vision, no detail planning and do not reflect on and learn from failures. 

46 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Trump: ‘Lock Him Up!’: Trump’s Lie Backfires After Video Surfaces of Promise He’s Now Calling ‘Manufactured Outrage’ — and Photos Instantly Call His Bluff

Ah yes, the noted "Atlanta Black Star News". An organization of fine journalistic integrity, I am sure.

 

But it still makes me chuckle to see how fervently those with "the syndrome" will go to such lengths to find supposed wrongdoing and malfeasance by The Donald.  The East Wing is hardly historical, it was built in the 1940s as an add-on project

 

Let's be honest, a ballroom is a great idea for the White House.  Numerous Presidents have made changes that will benefit them and their successors: Obama's basketball court, FDR's swimming pool, etc. But this is different. This will create a space that future Presidents can use for benefit of the American people. They can have ceremonies, gatherings, host lavish dinners for foreign dignitaries, you name it.  

 

It's going to be beautiful.

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

 

Let me summarize how wrong you are.

- BBB is unpopular and GOP losing battle of public opinion. Majority have negative perception.

- China, lost the market of farm products, rare earth and the trade deficit still there. No deals concluded.

- Middle East, no peace in Gaza yet and Iran still have the capabilities to enrich their uranium

- Russia/Ukraine, no peace in sight. His pledge and numerous meetings came and went.

- South America, war crimes and losing our key allies

- illegals deportation is less then Obama

 

Busy do not translate to achievement. This is because he has no clear vision, no detail planning and do not reflect on and learn from failures. 

What you said originally is;

 

What is soley needed is he pay more time on matters that affect the people like the shutdown 

 

Now you are chugging on and on and on about other things that he IS paying attention to.  Ironically, the one thing you DID mention (the shutdown of government) is one area he can keep his hands off.  It is up to the Democrats, who are responsible for it, to do the work.

 

Keep those goalposts moving.

6 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

Ah yes, the noted "Atlanta Black Star News". An organization of fine journalistic integrity, I am sure.

 

But it still makes me chuckle to see how fervently those with "the syndrome" will go to such lengths to find supposed wrongdoing and malfeasance by The Donald.  The East Wing is hardly historical, it was built in the 1940s as an add-on project

 

Let's be honest, a ballroom is a great idea for the White House.  Numerous Presidents have made changes that will benefit them and their successors: Obama's basketball court, FDR's swimming pool, etc. But this is different. This will create a space that future Presidents can use for benefit of the American people. They can have ceremonies, gatherings, host lavish dinners for foreign dignitaries, you name it.  

 

It's going to be beautiful.

Seems you haven't seen anything from the video, a true MAGA mind that ignores FACTS like it is illegal they way he is doing it.

23 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

What you said originally is;

 

What is soley needed is he pay more time on matters that affect the people like the shutdown 

 

Now you are chugging on and on and on about other things that he IS paying attention to.  Ironically, the one thing you DID mention (the shutdown of government) is one area he can keep his hands off.  It is up to the Democrats, who are responsible for it, to do the work.

 

Keep those goalposts moving.

Trump own the shutdown period. 

On 10/21/2025 at 11:45 AM, Hanaguma said:

Completely untrue.

Private donors are ponying up a large chunk of the cash, Trump is paying the remainder. And it is sorely needed.

"Sorely needed"? A ballroom that seats 5 million? Really? And don't you realize that "private donors" paying for a Trump vanity project is literally bribery? You're willing to go along with anything, aren't you.

1 minute ago, Cory1848 said:

"Sorely needed"? A ballroom that seats 5 million? Really? And don't you realize that "private donors" paying for a Trump vanity project is literally bribery? You're willing to go along with anything, aren't you.

Actually, a ballroom that seats about 600 to be accurate.  Given the swampy climate of DC, it is a great idea to have a climate controlled area for large gatherings. Not to mention it makes Presidential security that much easier. And safer for the guests. 

 

And I would say it is "bribery" the same was as donationns to Presidential libraries are bribery.

The White House is iconic but hardly an architectural masterpiece unique from other similar buildings. It's also an active working building and not a museum so modifications are acceptable.