Kathrine Frich
The East Wing of the White House has been demolished to make way for a new presidential ballroom, one of Donald Trump’s most ambitious and controversial renovation plans.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions across the United States, with a majority of Americans saying they oppose the $300 million project, according to a new opinion poll.
Growing public opposition
A survey conducted by The Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos found that 56 percent of respondents disapprove of replacing the East Wing with a ballroom, while only 28 percent support the idea.
The remaining participants either expressed no opinion or said they were unsure.
Support for the project varies sharply along party lines. Among Republicans, 62 percent back the renovation, while 88 percent of Democrats oppose it.
Independent voters lean closer to the Democrats, with 61 percent against and only 17 percent in favour.
East wing demolished
Although President Trump initially stated that construction would not alter the existing structure, the entire East Wing, which once housed the First Lady’s office and reception rooms, has now been demolished.
The White House says the new 8,361-square-foot ballroom will be completed before 2029 and will be large enough to host nearly 1,000 guests for official events.
Administration officials have said the project will be funded through private donations rather than taxpayer money.
Contributions are being sought from prominent Trump supporters, including billionaire investors, Cabinet members and leading figures from the technology and cryptocurrency sectors.
Funding questions remain
The White House has pledged to disclose how much President Trump is personally contributing to the construction, though it has not said when that information will be made public.
Critics have questioned both the timing and the scale of the renovation, arguing that the funds could be used elsewhere, while supporters say it will enhance the prestige of the presidential residence.
The Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll was conducted online between October 24 and 28 among 2,725 randomly selected adults across the United States.
Sources: Digi24, Politico, The Washington Post, ABC News, Ipsos, Reuters
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
