The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump’s $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.
When Mr. Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom, he pledged that the East Wing wouldn’t be touched by the construction.
“It’ll be views of the Washington Monument. It won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be near it but not touching it,” the president said in October. “And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
But, upon further evaluation, the White House determined it was cheaper and more structurally sound to demolish the East Wing to construct the ballroom, rather than build an addition, the official said.
The new structure will also have enhanced security features, the official said.
Mr. Trump is raising tens of millions in private donations to fund the project, the official said. The president plans to contribute some of his own money as well, though the amount has not been determined, the official added.
Luke Broadwater covers the White House for The Times.
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