Trump sends in wrecking crews to demolish White House wing for new ballroom

Stunning photographs reveal construction crews tearing down large sections of the White House, all to pave the way for Donald Trump's lavish new ballroom estimated to cost $250 million (£185 million).

The US President had insisted the new suite, designed to host state dinners and other formal occasions, "wouldn't interfere with the current building". Yet the bulk of the East Wing was yesterday being torn down as part of the ambitious personal project.

Heavy machinery was spotted ripping into the once-immaculate structure that has stood as part of the White House in one form or other for over 100 years, witnessing every moment of the American century of global ascendancy.

Thunderous banging and crashing echoed across the area outside the East Wing, while journalists observed construction equipment gouging massive chunks from the walls.

When clips of the demolition work surfaced on X last night, President Trump, 79, once more justified the construction. He wrote on Truth Social: "Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernised as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete."

His statement mirrors earlier remarks from his press secretary Karoline Leavitt who, when directly questioned whether the East Wing would face demolition upon unveiling the proposals, claimed the East Wing would be "modernised".

However, it appears to be almost entirely obliterated, following Mr Trump's ambitions to construct a magnificent, 25,000 square feet ballroom.

He unveiled the proposal in July, declaring any alterations would "pay total respect to the existing building".

Yet, other audacious modifications to his official residence have been dubbed as "Versailles meets Vegas" - with golden cherubs, garish umbrellas to 100ft flagpoles, and colossal portraits of himself displayed within the grand edifice.

The new ballroom, however, is expected to be privately funded, with Mr Trump contributing personally. Benefactors include Silicon Valley giants, Apple and Google, defence titan Lockheed Martin, and telecom provider, T-Mobile.

Constructed in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt's term, the East Wing was initially designed as a modest structure to serve as the public entrance. It has since been expanded and altered, notably with the addition of a second storey in 1942 to provide offices for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her staff.

But last month, revealing the construction site, Mr Trump told some of the donors: "It will be demolished. Everything out there is coming down and it will be replaced by the most beautiful ballroom."

On Monday, once construction commenced, the gold curtains in the East Room were drawn to muffle any noise, but the president mentioned the project as he hosted two Louisiana State baseball teams at the White House.

“We’re gonna have a phenomenal ballroom, this is gonna be one of the best anywhere in the world. There won’t be anything like it, actually,” Trump told donors to the construction project last week.

“And it’s four sides of glass, beautiful glass, but totally appropriate in color and in window shape, and everything else with the White House.”