White Home defends East Wing demolition for Trump’s $400M ballroom

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The White Home stated Thursday that it was not possible to avoid wasting the East Wing attributable to extreme structural issues, as officers defended its demolition whereas unveiling particulars of President Donald Trump’s deliberate $400 million ballroom.

Josh Fisher, the director of the White Home Workplace of Administration, cited an unstable colonnade, water leakage and mould contamination, saying it was extra economical to tear down the historic East Wing slightly than renovate it.

"Due to this and different components, the fee evaluation proved that demolition and reconstruction offered the bottom whole value possession and best long-term technique," Fisher stated throughout a gathering with the Nationwide Capital Planning Fee, which is charged with approving the mission.

The fee's chairman, Will Scharf, who can be a White House official, advised reporters he believes the mission will finally be authorised.

WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO REPORTS TRUMP NAMED NEW BALLROOM AFTER HIMSELF

Architect Shalom Baranes factors at a rendering on a board throughout a Nationwide Capitol Planning Fee assembly discussing the White Home ballroom mission on Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Allison Robbert)

Scharf argued in the course of the assembly that the White Home wanted a big, elegant house for main capabilities. He stated that when the president hosts distinguished friends like King Charles III of Nice Britain, "extra possible than not, he shall be hosted in a tent on the South Garden with porta-potties."

In December, the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation sued to halt construction of the ballroom, accusing the Trump administration of skipping necessary critiques and failing to hunt congressional approval earlier than demolishing the East Wing.

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the Belief, stated that Thursday's presentation by the White Home was a "good and obligatory first step," whereas urging the administration to adjust to all legally required evaluate and approval processes earlier than commencing development.

BILL MAHER SAYS HE DOESN'T 'GIVE A S---' ABOUT TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE REMODEL, SLAMS PRESS COVERAGE

An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White Home was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Eric Lee/Getty Photos)

A extra formal evaluate of the mission, together with public testimony and votes, is predicted after the White Home submits a extra detailed proposal.

The mission's architect, Shalom Baranes, who was tapped by Trump in December to guide the subsequent part of the ballroom mission, gave the fee an in depth presentation, together with renderings of the ballroom and views of the White Home complicated with the addition.

Baranes advised that the design may embrace including a second story to the West Wing colonnade to assist make the White Home extra uniform with the brand new ballroom on the east aspect, however he cautioned that it might dramatically affect the house outdoors the Oval Workplace.

MICHELLE OBAMA TAKES SWIPE AT TRUMP’S DEMOLITION OF WHITE HOUSE EAST WING

Development of the ballroom on the White Home continued on Dec. 17. (AP Photograph/Alex Brandon)

Along with the deliberate ballroom, officers say the mission can even streamline customer entry to the White Home and contain enhancements throughout the road at Lafayette Park.

Phil Mendelson, a Democrat on the fee and chairman of the D.C. Council, requested if the ballroom's measurement and site have been solidified, saying that the deliberate ceiling top of 38 to 40 toes can be "overwhelming" for the prevailing constructing.

Baranes replied that "something’s doable," however famous the plans had already been totally reviewed.

Mendelson additionally requested why the thought wasn't introduced to the fee earlier than the East Wing was demolished in October.

In response, Fisher stated that some points of the mission have been of a "high secret nature" and needed to be dealt with accordingly.

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The White Home is seen in Washington, D.C., as officers defend the demolition of the East Wing and description plans for President Donald Trump’s privately funded $400 million ballroom. (AP Photograph/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The White Home introduced in July {that a} 90,000-square-foot house can be constructed at a then-estimated value of $200 million. Trump has stated the mission is being privately funded.