In a move that has stunned preservationists and the public alike, demolition crews have completed the full teardown of the White House’s East Wing—clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s ambitious new US$300 million (RM1.3 billion) ballroom project. Satellite imagery released Thursday by Planet Labs PBC revealed a barren patch of rubble where one of the most recognizable parts of American history once stood.
The White House confirmed the completion of the demolition alongside a surprising revelation—a list of major corporate donors helping to fund the colossal 90,000-square-foot ballroom. Tech giants such as Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, Palantir, and defense contractor Lockheed Martin headline the list, joining billionaire Trump himself in privately financing what will be one of the most opulent event spaces in the world.
When Trump first announced the project in July, he assured Americans that the East Wing “would not be touched.” However, just weeks later, he reversed course after “consulting with architects,” stating that complete demolition was preferable. The president justified the decision by arguing that current state dinners and events are held in temporary tents on the White House lawn—a situation he called “unworthy of a great nation.”
“The new ballroom will redefine the way the world sees presidential events,” Trump told reporters. “And let me be clear—it won’t cost the taxpayers a dime.”
The cost, however, has escalated—first estimated at $200 million, then $250 million, and now officially pegged at $300 million, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. She reaffirmed that “the final figure will remain fully funded by private donors.”
While the East Wing never held the same global symbolism as the West Wing, it carried immense historical significance. Built under President Theodore Roosevelt and remodeled by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, it was the home of the First Lady’s offices and the main entrance for public tours. The White House Historical Association confirmed that it had completed a digital preservation and artifact recovery operation prior to demolition, ensuring the memory of the structure endures.
Still, the decision has sparked outrage from historians, preservationists, and Trump’s political rivals. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the President to halt the project, citing concerns that the new ballroom’s sheer size “could overwhelm the White House itself.” The administration, however, maintains that Trump acted within his authority and requires no external approvals.
As the dust settles over what was once the East Wing, the debate rages between progress and preservation—between history and the hunger for grandeur. Whether the ballroom will become a new symbol of American prestige or a monument to controversy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the White House will never look the same again.
