Construction appears to start on Trump’s $250m White House ballroom | Donald Trump
Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the East Wing of the White House to make room for Donald Trump’s planned ballroom, prompting widespread criticism on social media and beyond.
One former MP even described the renovation as “a complete disrespect”.
WashingtonPost, The company, which collected and published photos of the demolition activity and included the statements of two eyewitnesses, reported that the demolition was continuing on Monday and shared a photo showing that construction was continuing and some parts of the exterior were demolished.
Other images, including those seen in the photo New York Postalso shows the destruction of parts of the East Wing.
The White House did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.
on it Real Social On the platform Monday, Trump said “the groundbreaking of the White House has been laid” for the construction of the new ballroom.
“I am honored to be the first President to finally implement this much-needed project at zero cost to the American Taxpayers! The White House Ballroom is privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Corporations, and indeed your company,” he added.
Earlier, at a ceremony celebrating the NCAA champion Louisiana State University baseball team in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Trump said his administration plans to build “the most beautiful ballroom in the country.”
“I didn’t know I’d be standing here right now because there’s a lot of construction on the other side that you can hear periodically,” he said during a White House event.
Plans to build a massive $250 million ballroom addition to the White House, one of the White House’s biggest projects in more than a century, were revealed in July. At the time, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the renovated space would span 90,000 sq ft (8,300 m2) and accommodate up to 650 people. It will be paid for by Trump and anonymous donors, officials said.
“They’ve been wanting to have a ballroom in the White House for 150 years,” Trump said of the renovation in July, adding: “There has never been a president who was good at ballrooms.
“I’m good at building things, and we’ll build quickly and on time,” he said. “It’s going to be beautiful, on top, on top.”
In August, there was news that the work would start in September. The project is expected to be completed in January 2029, before the end of Trump’s second term.
Trump has previously claimed that the new structure “will not interfere with the existing building.” Washington Post.
“He will stand by it, but he will not touch it, and he will fully respect the existing building, which I am the biggest fan of,” Trump said at the time of the executive order signing in July, according to the Post. “My favorite place. My favorite place. I love it.”
Earlier this month, Trump hosted a dinner at the White House for donors who financed the ballroom. During the event, he reportedly opened the curtains of the East Room to show where ballroom construction began. He told guests that the new venue would have bulletproof glass, seat 1,000 people and be capable of hosting a presidential inauguration.
It was reported that the guests attending the dinner included representatives from Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir and Lockheed Martin.
Concerns and criticism about Trump’s renovation plans have emerged from lawmakers and on social media.
Democratic representative Mark Takano of California made a suggestion invoice This would prohibit the use of federal funds for any construction or renovations at the White House during the government shutdown unless the work is directly related to health or safety. Monday marked the 20th day of the ongoing government shutdown.
Former Republican member of Congress Joe Walsh called the renewal “a complete disrespect.”
“If I were running for President in 2028, I would bulldoze Trump’s ballroom, it’s a complete disrespect to the people’s home,” Walsh said. Publish on X Monday in response to a photo showing part of the White House being demolished.
“In fact, I would invite the American people to bring their own sledgehammers and crowbars to the White House for a weekend to help tear down this abomination.”
“Wealth and income inequality are at record levels in America, but we are happy to spend $250 million on a vanity project,” said human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid.
