(The Hill) – President Trump had the East Wing of the White House demolished this week, a change of course from previous statements that his massive, privately funded ballroom addition would be near but not touch the structure.
Starting Monday, construction equipment broke the facade of the portion of the White House complex that was home to offices of the first lady. By Thursday, very little remained.
“In order to do it properly we had to take down the existing structure,” Trump, flanked by renderings of the ballroom, told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Work continues on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)A window dangles from the East Wing as work continues on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo)
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom left, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Construction workers, bottom right, atop the U.S. Treasury, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The entire White House East Wing has been demolished as President Donald Trump moves forward with a ballroom construction, Associated Press photos on Thursday showed. The East Wing, where first ladies created history, planned state dinners and promoted causes, is now history itself. The two-story structure of…
Washington (DC News Now) -- The East Wing of the White House has been demolished. It's a part of President Donald Trump and his administrations plan to build a ballroom. The demolition has caused a lot of backlash for the administration. Dr. Omékongo Dibinga returns to Capitol Review.