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By Dan Gooding and Jason Lemon
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A new photo showing the partially demolished East Wing of the White House began circulating widely on social media Monday afternoon, as plans move forward for President Donald Trump's new $250 million ballroom.
The Washington Post first reported the news of the demolition, saying that constructions crews were using a backhoe to rip through and demolish a portion of the White House's East Wing. The publication included a photo with its report, which was quickly shared by social media users, some of whom used the image to criticize the president.
"Donald Trump is now officially demolishing part of the White House to make room for his $200 million golden ballroom. This comes as Americans can’t afford groceries and the government is still shut down," podcaster Bryan Tyler Cohen wrote on X, sharing the photo.
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Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Trump's plan to demolish part of the White House and build the ballroom marks the biggest change to the building since the East Wing was expanded in 1942. The proposal has garnered a mixed response: While some see it as a chance to finally create a usable space for large events at the U.S. president's residence, others have denounced it as a vanity project which harms a historic landmark.
What To Know
Sounds of the demolition efforts could be heard around the White House campus Monday, The Washington Post reported, with Secret Service and other officials standing on the Treasury Department steps to catch a glimpse of the work.
Photos showed a section of the East Wing having already been demolished, with several windows missing as well as parts of the exterior walls, as construction crews continued their work in earnest Monday afternoon. The president later posted to Truth Social to say he was proud to announce that work was underway.
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People on X quickly began commenting on the photo, with one user calling the project a "monstrosity," while others expressed their dismay at part of the existing building being destroyed for project.
Trump has promised that the work to build the 90,000 square-foot ballroom, something he has long called for, will not affect the main White House, but it will double the footprint of the East and West wings, the former being home to the first lady's offices, traditionally.
Since his return to office, Trump has looked to leave his mark on the building, having added gold decorations to the Oval Office and remodeled the Rose Garden into a patio space.
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What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social on Monday evening: "I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!
"For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!"
Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, on X: "If I ran for President in 2028, I’d run on taking a bulldozer to Trump’s ballroom, an utter desecration of the peoples’ house. In fact, I’d invite the American people one weekend to bring their own sledgehammers & crowbars to the White House to help tear that abomination down."
Liberal commentator Joshua Reed Eakle, on X: "I’m only voting for the next Democratic nominee if they promise to demolish Trump’s tacky White House ballroom extension—and make it a live, televised event on day one."
McCrery Architects CEO Jim McCrery, in a statement when the project was announced: "Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman. I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People's House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance."
What Happens Next
Trump has promised that the ballroom would be happily used for generations to come.
Update 10/20/25, 5:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 10/20/25, 5:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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