Trump: Ballroom Cost Rose, and Entire East Wing Will Go
Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON — The East Wing of the White House is being demolished to make way for President Trump’s massive new ballroom project, which has now ballooned to an estimated $300 million. The president confirmed Wednesday that the expansion—originally planned as a $200 million addition—will be completed after the entire East Wing is “modernized and rebuilt,” NBC News reported.
“It won’t interfere with the current building,” Trump said during an earlier briefing on July 31. “It’ll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
The project has sparked backlash from political figures, historians, and preservation groups, including Hillary Clinton and conservative columnist Byron York. Critics have raised concerns over transparency, cost, and the preservation of one of America’s most historic buildings.
Transparency Concerns
York told The Washington Post that Trump “needs to tell the public now what he is doing with the East Wing of the White House—and then tell the public why he didn’t tell them before he started doing it.” Trump responded that he has been fully transparent about the project, and the White House said Tuesday it will submit the plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which reviews federal construction in Washington. The commission currently has a majority of Trump-appointed members.
Ownership Debate
Clinton voiced her outrage on social media, writing, “It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”
Administration’s Explanation
An administration official told The New York Times that rebuilding from scratch would be more cost-effective and structurally sound than attempting to attach the ballroom to the existing East Wing.
Legal Exemption and Preservation Disputes
Rebecca Miller, executive director of the DC Preservation League, explained that her organization has no authority to intervene because the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 exempts the White House from the review process required for most federal buildings. Still, Sara Bronin—who chaired the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation during the Biden administration—argued the move undermines the intent of the law. “The Trump administration’s shortsighted decision to start demolishing parts of the White House is exactly the kind of action the NHPA was passed to prevent,” Bronin said.
Calls to Pause the Project
The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the administration to “pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review processes.” Meanwhile, a YouGov poll released Tuesday found that 53% of Americans oppose tearing down any part of the East Wing, while only 23% support the demolition or believe the ballroom will improve the White House.
Trump’s Defense
President Trump defended the project, saying the complete demolition was necessary to ensure quality and safety. “In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,” he told reporters. He added that the new design will feature a “glass bridge” connecting the ballroom to the main White House residence. “We don’t touch the White House,” he emphasized.
Historic Context
Before construction began, the White House’s design maintained a careful symmetry—its main structure centered between two smaller wings. Carol Quillen, president of the National Trust, said the demolition disrupts a design that has long symbolized America’s ideals. “The White House is a National Historic Landmark, a National Park, and a globally recognized emblem of our democracy,” she said, noting that the site’s original design was chosen by George Washington and that public tours traditionally began in the East Wing.
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