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White House East Wing demolition nearly complete to make room for Trump ballroom
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.
Jacquelyn Martin | AP
The demolition of the White House East Wing is nearly complete as President Donald Trump pushes ahead with plans to build a massive ballroom, an administration official told NBC News Thursday.
Construction crews are now turning their attention to debris removal, the official said. Photos showed the building largely reduced to rubble.
Trump said Wednesday that the 90,000 square foot ballroom will cost $300 million, higher than the original estimated price tag of $200 million.
The president had promised in July that the ballroom would not impact the East Wing.
“It’ll be near it but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” Trump said in July.
But a senior White House official told CNBC on Wednesday that “plans changed.” The official cited “structural reasons” for the decision to knock down East Wing.
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.
Jacquelyn Martin | AP
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
