President Donald Trump has begun the demolition of facade the East Wing of the White House to make way for his Mar-a-Lago-inspired ballroom, walking back his earlier assurance that the expansion would not touch the existing structure, the Washington Post reports.
Crews with backhoes were seen tearing into the East Wing on Monday, in full view of staff from the United States Secret Service, according to the Post.
Trump, who has repeatedly promoted a 90,000‑square‑foot addition to the Executive Mansion, once assured on camera: “It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be. It’ll be near it but not touching it — and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
Yet the visible demolition makes clear the project will directly impact the historic fabric of the presidency’s residence.
According to the Post, White House officials did not address the contradiction between the president’s earlier pledge and the current visible changes.
According to administration, the ballroom will replace the East Wing, a portion of the residence that dates back to 1902 and has been renovated multiple times.
Critics argue the move bypasses customary oversight. The head of the National Capital Planning Commission, a Trump appointee, recently asserted that demolition work can proceed without his body’s approval, while construction plans must still be submitted.
The new report sparked backlash.
Washington Post writer Elahe Izadi wrote on the social platform X: "Legit question: does a planning commission or any other kind of board need to sign off on these kind of changes to an historical structure on federal property?"
Journalist Ben Jacobs wrote: "Not the first time that Trump has removed a facade in Washington."
Democratic strategist Max Burns wrote: "I guess we're really building this monstrosity, even if they have to rip down the historic East Wing to do it."