The entirety of the East Wing of the White House will be demolished within days, according to two officials from the Trump administration.
Construction crews began the demolition process on Monday, with plans to complete the task by the weekend, as reported by CBS, a partner of BBC's US news.
This initiative is part of a larger construction project first announced by President Donald Trump during the summer, who previously claimed that his $250 million addition, aiming to build a ballroom, would not interfere with the existing structure.
The White House has historically served as the official residence of the U.S. president for over two centuries, with the East Wing being constructed in 1902 and last modified in 1942.
In a social media announcement, Trump confirmed that the construction has commenced, stating that ground has been broken for the much-needed ballroom space. He emphasized that previous presidents have envisioned having a ballroom suitable for hosting grand events and diplomatic visits.
Despite assertions that the East Wing operates separately from the main structure, it remains attached, prompting discussions about necessary upgrades to enhance security and technology. According to Trump administration officials, it was concluded that demolishing the East Wing was the best path forward after evaluating the plans.
Describing the construction sounds as music to my ears, Trump expressed his excitement during a recent meeting with Republican senators, revealing that the noise of construction to him signals prosperity.
However, this project has faced pushback. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Washington-based organization focused on protecting historic landmarks, sent a letter urging a pause in the demolition, calling attention to the heritage value of the White House and the need for a public review of the ballroom construction plans.
