Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The White House is once again under renovation. But this time, the work has raised more eyebrows than applause.
Construction crews were seen tearing down part of the East Wing on October 20 as work began on Donald Trump’s new ballroom, several media reports.
The US President said the work was part of an effort to “fully modernise” the historic building.
Trump had earlier promised that the ballroom would stand close to the White House, but not actually connect to it. “It won’t interfere with the current building,” he said in July. “It’ll be near it but not touching it—and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
Announcing the project on social media, he added: “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc.”
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Big money plans
The new ballroom is expected to cost $250 million (£186 million). Trump claimed the funds were raised from “many generous Patriots” who donated to the project. However, no details about these donors have been made public.
The President also reassured the public that the East Wing construction would not disrupt daily government operations, describing the area as “completely separate” from the main White House complex.
A house that keeps changing
The White House has undergone countless transformations over the years. Former presidents have added or altered facilities, including converting swimming pools into press rooms, installing bowling alleys, and creating new sports spaces such as Barack Obama’s tennis court.
Trump’s addition of a ballroom now joins this long history of presidential redesigns, though his decision to break through the East Wing wall has drawn criticism for its scale and symbolism.
Building beyond the White House
Trump also revealed another plan during his ballroom announcement: the construction of a triumphal arch in Washington, D.C.
“Every time somebody rides over that beautiful bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, they literally say something is supposed to be here,” he said, holding a miniature model of the proposed design.
He then referenced an early 20th-century idea to erect a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee at the site. “Would have been okay with me,” Trump remarked. “A lot of people wouldn’t have liked it, would have been okay with me.”
Lee was the leading general of the Confederate forces who fought to preserve slavery during the American Civil War.
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