Journalism of Courage
Demolition crews have started tearing down part of the White House’s East Wing in order to begin preparation for the construction of US President Donald Trump’s new ballroom, a project he has said would not interfere with the existing landmark, Reuters reported.
Construction crews were seen demolishing part of the facade of the building inside the White House complex that houses the first fady’s office, a theatre and a visitor’s entrance to welcome foreign dignitaries. The US president has said the East Wing is being “fully modernised”.
Trump’s proposed ballroom spans a massive 90,000 square feet and is estimated to cost around $250 million, which he said in July would be paid by him and other donors.
“It will be beautiful. It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be – it will be near it, but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favorite,” Trump said.
The plan is to start the future parties with cocktails in the East Room before the guests are attended in the newly built ballroom, which the US president has called to be the “finest” in the country, which is bound to have views of the Washington Monument and room for 999 people.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced the initiation of construction, saying “ground has been broken” on the “much-needed” ballroom space. “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc,” he wrote.
Trump, who himself was a real estate developer before he entered politics, has made vast changes to the White House, including hand-picking gold ornamentation for the Oval Office and redoing the Rose Garden in the style of his golf clubs. The current East Wing was constructed under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration in 1942 amid World War 2.
(with inputs from Reuters)
