Is Trump demolishing part of the White House? East Wing teardown begins for a new ballroom — costs, timeline, photos policy, and history

Demolition crews have begun tearing down sections of the White House East Wing to clear space for a new, privately funded ballroom championed by President Trump. Heavy equipment moved in at the start of the week, with portions of the façade and interior offices coming down behind construction fencing. A government-wide email reminded nearby federal employees not to photograph or share images of the work area, after early pictures circulated online.

What exactly is being demolished — and why

The project removes parts of the East Wing, historically home to the first lady’s offices, the visitors’ entrance, the East Colonnade corridor, and the Family Theater. The stated aim is to build a large state ballroom on the East Wing footprint to accommodate major ceremonial events that exceed the capacity of the current State Floor rooms.

Officials describe the ballroom as a new annex tied to broader East Wing “modernization.” Tours that normally pass through the East Wing have been suspended or rerouted while demolition proceeds.

Who is paying for the White House ballroom

The administration says the ballroom will be financed by private donations and the president personally, with an estimated price tag in the $200–$250 million range. Fundraising commitments have been touted as substantial, with plans to disclose donor names and to prohibit foreign sources. No congressional appropriation has been announced for the construction phase now underway.

Capacity, size, and what’s planned inside

Design details released to date point to a very large event space—described as on the order of tens of thousands of square feet—intended to host hundreds of guests for state dinners, award ceremonies, and receptions. Final capacity will depend on fire code and layout (seated dinners vs. standing events), but the aim is to significantly exceed the headcount possible in the East Room today.

Planners have also referenced support spaces (catering, security screening, storage, and circulation) to reduce wear on historic interiors during large events.

Photos and “no-sharing” reminders

After early demolition images appeared online, nearby federal workers received internal guidance not to take or distribute photos of the site without clearance. The message cited security and information-control concerns typical for active work zones on federal property. Members of the public have nonetheless posted images taken from public vantage points; expect tighter perimeter controls as demolition advances.

Was the East Wing always part of the White House?

Yes—but it’s not original to the 18th-century residence. The East Wing was built in 1942, during World War II, to add office space and to conceal access to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center below. Over time it evolved into the headquarters for the first lady’s staff and social functions, as well as the visitor entry for public tours.

Which company is doing the teardown (ACECO)?

Online reviews and public chatter have focused on ACECO LLC, a longtime demolition contractor in the capital region, as a firm working on the project. The company’s public materials describe structural and interior demolition expertise consistent with the work now visible on site. As with many federal jobs, the ballroom build involves multiple contractors and subcontractors across demolition, excavation, structural, and fit-out phases.

Preservation, oversight, and legal questions

Historians and preservation advocates argue the East Wing demolition alters a historically significant portion of the White House complex and should be paused for fuller review. The administration responds that presidential renovations and additions have precedent and that historic elements are being cataloged and preserved. Key process questions in the days ahead:

• Compliance reviews: What formal preservation and environmental reviews have been completed for the East Wing scope?

• Donor transparency: When will the donor list and contribution amounts be published, and how will conflicts of interest be handled?

• Security integration: How will the ballroom connect to existing protective infrastructure (PEOC, screening, motorcades) without compromising operations?

What it means for public access and operations

• Tours: Expect reduced access to the East Wing approach and temporary route changes on the grounds.

• Events: Large ceremonial events may shift off-site during construction; smaller functions continue in remaining State Floor rooms.

• Neighboring agencies: Staff in adjacent buildings should anticipate periodic road closures, crane operations, and noise during demolition and steel erection.

Timeline and what to watch next

• Demolition phase: Now underway, with façade removal and interior gutting visible from outside the complex.

• Foundation & steel: Piling and excavation to follow; steel framing would mark the first real outline of the ballroom.

• Target opening: No public ribbon-cut date has been confirmed; based on scope, a multi-quarter build is likely even with accelerated schedules.

Quick answers to top searches

• Is Trump demolishing part of the White House? Yes—portions of the East Wing are being torn down to make way for a new ballroom.

• When was the East Wing built? 1942.

• Who is paying? Private donors and the president, with costs framed around $200–$250 million.

• Photos? Employees in nearby offices were told not to share images; public photos from outside the perimeter have circulated.

• ACECO? The demolition firm ACECO LLC is widely identified online as involved; the overall project includes multiple contractors.

The White House East Wing is being partially demolished to create a large, privately funded ballroom. The move expands event capacity but has ignited a preservation and transparency fight that will intensify as steel rises—and as the donor roster and formal reviews come due in public view.