The East Wing of the White House is being demolished to make way for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom project funded largely by private contributions and supported by the President and his team. Officials say the demolition is necessary to ensure the structural integrity, cost-effectiveness, and long- term viability of the ballroom plan, even though initial statements suggested the East Wing would remain intact. Public and preservation groups have raised concerns about the process and the need for proper review, especially given historic-structure considerations. The work is proceeding with security enhancements and related renovations to adjacent spaces, with completion anticipated in the coming weeks.
