White House Faces Backlash Over East Wing Demolition For Trump's $250M Ballroom

President Donald Trump has initiated the demolition of part of the White House East Wing to construct a new $200-$250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, designed to host major events and honor world leaders. Trump and White House officials emphasize the project is privately funded, including contributions from Trump himself, and argue the renovation modernizes the historic building without taxpayer expense. The demolition, which affects office spaces traditionally used by the first lady and others, has sparked significant backlash from Democrats, commentators, and members of the public who criticize the timing amid economic challenges and see it as damaging the historic White House. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Elizabeth Warren, among others, condemned the project, while some conservative commentators praised it as enhancing hospitality capabilities. The demolition company, Aceco LLC, faced a flood of negative reviews online due to public outrage over the partial destruction of a symbol of American heritage. Despite the criticism, the White House maintains that construction has historically been part of the building's evolution and that the new ballroom will be a cherished addition for generations.