Here’s a refreshed article about Donald Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom at The White House

The White House 

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What’s happening

President Trump has launched construction on a major expansion of the White House—specifically a new ballroom in the East Wing. Demolition began this week on part of the East Wing to make way for the addition.Here’s a refreshed article about Donald Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom at The White House 

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Why is the East Wing being demolished?

• The East Wing, originally built in 1902 and later expanded in 1942, has housed offices for the First Lady, a theatre, a visitor’s entrance, and support functions. 

• Trump’s team says the White House lacks a large indoor space to host significant state functions and international leaders without resorting to large tents on the grounds.

• The new ballroom is intended to meet that gap: a permanent interior, larger event space within the White House complex. 

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Key details of the project

• Size & capacity: The planned addition is about 90,000 sq ft (≈ 8,360 m²). Initially, seating capacity was about 650 guests; some reports say up to 999.

• Cost: The cost estimate has risen to about $250 million, though earlier estimates were around $200 million. 

• Funding: The administration says the ballroom will be entirely privately funded by Trump and “patriotic” donors, not taxpayer funds.

• Timeline: Construction was announced to begin September 2025, with completion set “long before” the end of Trump’s term in January 2029. 

• Approval process: There are questions about whether necessary planning-approvals have been obtained. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has said plans weren’t submitted yet.Impact on the White House: Demolition is underway and some offices (e.g., First Lady’s staff) will be temporarily relocated. Though Trump claimed the project will not “touch” the main residence, heavy machinery has already been at the East Wing.

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Historical context

• The last major structural change to the White House was under Harry S. Truman (1948–53) when the interior was gutted and reconstructed.

• Earlier additions: the West Wing, the Oval Office, the East Wing and other expansions across years of presidents. The new ballroom would mark perhaps the most significant interior addition in decades.

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Questions & controversies

• Some critics argue that approval processes appear circumvented or incomplete, raising concerns about historic-preservation and oversight. 

• Others point to timing: construction during broader government shutdowns or while tours of the White House are suspended. 

• While the project is said to be privately funded, there are questions about donor transparency and corporate influence.

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What this means

• For the White House: A significantly larger capacity event space could alter how state functions, receptions, and guest-hosting are done.

• For the historic building: Structural changes of this scale raise concerns around preservation of heritage, architectural consistency, and integrity of the landmark.

• For the public & oversight: Large private-funded construction on a national landmark prompts questions about accountability, access, and long-term implications.

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