President Donald Trump has begun demolishing the East Wing of the White House to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom costing $300 million. The project, designed by architect James McCrery, features Corinthian columns, arched windows, and gold chandeliers. Donors include foundations and companies such as Amazon and Apple.
The demolition of the White House's East Wing started in October 2025, prompting criticism from preservation advocates. On October 21, Dr. Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, wrote a letter urging the administration and the National Park Service to halt the work. She emphasized the need for public review processes that have guided White House preservation since the 1792 design competition.
The proposed ballroom, funded by corporate and foundation donors like Miriam Adelson’s Family Foundation, Amazon, Apple, and Altria Group, represents Trump's vision for reshaping Washington, DC. Architect James McCrery, previously appointed to the US Commission of Fine Arts by Trump, designed the structure with a coffered ceiling and exterior Corinthian columns. The White House's exemption from the National Historic Preservation Act facilitated the project, bypassing standard regulatory hurdles. In October, the Commission of Fine Arts was purged of its members, streamlining approvals.
This initiative is part of broader plans to imprint Trump's legacy on the capital. They include a National Garden of American Heroes featuring 250 sculptures selected by a White House task force and a triumphal arch at Arlington National Cemetery to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. Critics argue these projects prioritize personal aggrandizement over democratic traditions established by figures like Thomas Jefferson, who championed classical architecture symbolizing republican ideals.
Historical context highlights Trump's approach to development. In the 1980s, he demolished the Art Deco Bonwit Teller building in New York for Trump Tower, destroying promised artifacts despite preservation pledges. Preservation experts stress that public ownership of landmarks like the White House demands transparency, a value now challenged by expedited construction.
