President Donald Trump gave an update on the White House ballroom project that will see the entirety of the East Wing demolished and cost “about $300 million.”
The latest details, which the president shared with reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, revealed an increase in the cost, which is estimated to be about $100 million more than the original calculation. Initial plans for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom showed it would be part of the East Wing of the White House, but it now appears that that structure, which was originally built in 1902 and expanded in 1942, will be demolished to accommodate Trump’s vision of a space to host leaders and dignitaries.
.@POTUS: “This is going to be probably the finest ballroom ever built — and we’re doing it NO COST to the country… in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.” pic.twitter.com/AEjJ4Iy3Ja
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 22, 2025
“In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,” Trump told reporters, adding that “certain areas are being left” and that “little sections of footings and various other things” from the original building will be used.
The president showed renderings of the ballroom, which is estimated to be ready in 2029. He had shared in July that the new structure “won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be near it but not touching it.”
“And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he added at the time. However, as he explained on Wednesday, “We determined that, after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, we determined that really knocking it down” would be best.
Demolition began this week, with images showing the extensive work being reported by news outlets, many of which drummed up a sense of impending doom.
Fake News CNN has an “East Wing Destruction” live camera going on their chyron. These people are clinically deranged — beyond help. It’s truly sick. pic.twitter.com/7N5vijOVn4
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 23, 2025
“The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House,” Trump clarified. “We don’t touch the White House.”
The president also remarked on the history of the East Wing, which was first constructed under President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, and rebuilt under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when an underground bunker was added.
Teddy Roosevelt built the West Wing.
Taft made the Executive Office oval.
FDR added the entire East Wing and included an indoor pool for himself.
Truman gutted the entire White House.
Nixon added a bowling alley.
Obama added a basketball court.
Trump is building a ballroom. pic.twitter.com/OoQQjZVwQ1
— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) October 20, 2025
“You know, the East Wing was not much. It was not much left from the original,” Trump said.
“It was never thought of as being much. It was a very small building, and rather than allowing that to hurt, a very expensive, beautiful building that, frankly, they’ve been after for years,” he added
The president promised the new building, which is being funded by private donations, will “be one of the great ballrooms anywhere in the world.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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