White House East Wing Demolition Stuns Former First Lady Staff Amid Ballroon Plans

President Donald Trump's administration has begun the demolition of the White House's East Wing, a historic 83-year-old structure that has served as the workspace for first ladies and their aides since Eleanor Roosevelt's era. This move, intended to make way for a new, larger ballroom, has shocked and deeply saddened former staffers from both Republican and Democratic administrations, who describe the demolition as "jarring" and "revolting." The project has seen its estimated cost rise from $200 million to $300 million and will be funded by private donations despite Trump's initial claim he would cover the expenses. Former aides, including Stephanie Grisham and Penny Adams, have expressed emotional distress over the loss of the historic space and criticized the rapid demolition process. Efforts to halt or reconsider the demolition involved appeals to the National Capital Planning Commission, but the White House defended the project as a necessary modernization to accommodate larger events. While some former officials support the need for a bigger ballroom, they lament the destruction of a cherished part of White House history.