White House East Wing Demolished for $300M Ballroom Expansion

The East Wing of the White House, traditionally the workspace and power center for first ladies, has been demolished under the orders of Republican President Donald Trump as part of a proposed $300 million ballroom project. For over a century, the East Wing was a hub where first ladies and their teams addressed issues like drug abuse and literacy, planned state dinners, and created holiday themes, embodying the "heart" of the nation as described by Betty Ford. The demolition included the removal of historic features such as an in-house movie theater, a covered walkway, and a garden dedicated to Jacqueline Kennedy. Trump has long desired a grand ballroom to replace the tents used for state dinners and is advancing this legacy project in his second term, justifying it by citing expansions made by past presidents. Anita McBride, former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush, emphasized that the demolition does not diminish the significance of the work accomplished in the East Wing. Despite the loss of this historic space, the legacy and purpose of the first ladies’ work there remain acknowledged.