Trump's Press Secretary: Outrage Over Demolition 'Fake'
Demolition of the East Wing of the White House, 21 October 2025. Photo courtesy of Sizzlipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
President Donald Trump's $250 million White House Ballroom Project has reportedly bulldozed the entire East Wing, a move that starkly contradicts his earlier assurances that the historic structure would remain untouched. What began as promises of a "substantially separated" addition, as reported by The Daily Beast, has since turned into a full-scale demolition, sparking a clash between the White House and preservationists, while raising questions about oversight and transparency.
From Promise to Pulverization
Back in July, Trump confidently told reporters that the new ballroom "won't interfere with the current building" and would be "near it but not touching it," as reported by The Daily Beast. He insisted he was "the biggest fan" of the existing White House and that the construction would pay "total respect" to the historic structure. Yet, cranes and backhoes have since reportedly torn down the entire East Wing façade, a building that has stood since 1902 and was renovated in 1942. Photos obtained by The Washington Post show major sections of the East Wing reduced to rubble. Demolition crews are working behind a seven-foot fence that now blocks public view.
Trump later defended the demolition, explaining that after extensive study with top architects, the East Wing was "not much left from the original" and that "in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure," as reported by ABC News. A White House official confirmed the East Wing is being "modernized" to support the ballroom project and the future home of the East Wing. The official added that the scope and size of the project have evolved as the process developed.
A Ballroom That Towers Over History
The planned ballroom will reportedly span 90,000 square feet, nearly double the size of the Executive Residence, which measures about 55,000 square feet. The new space is designed to accommodate up to 650 people, with Trump claiming it could hold as many as 999 guests for events. Renderings show a structure that will tower over the White House itself, mimicking its neoclassical style but dwarfing the existing East Wing.
Despite the scale, the project is privately funded, with Trump and "patriot donors" pledging nearly $200 million so far, as reported by POLITICO. The White House insists no tax dollars are being used, but details about the donors remain vague. This has prompted ethical and legal questions.
Outcry and Official Pushback
The demolition has ignited a firestorm of criticism. Former first lady Hillary Clinton took to social media to condemn the destruction, writing that Trump is "destroying" the White House and reminding the public that it is "your house," as reported by POLITICO.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation reportedly sent a letter to the National Park Service and other agencies urging a halt to construction until the project undergoes legally required public review processes. The trust's president, Carol Quillen, warned that the ballroom's mass and height "will overwhelm the White House itself" and disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the complex, as reported by ABC News. The letter called for consultation with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts before any further demolition or construction proceeds.
White House Dismisses Backlash as 'Fake Outrage'
White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the public outcry as "fake outrage," emphasizing that nearly every president has made renovations to the White House, as reported by ABC News. She praised Trump as "the builder-in-chief" and insisted the East Wing, "an entirely separate structure from the Executive Mansion," will be "more modern and beautiful than ever" once the project is complete.
Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, echoed this sentiment, calling the criticism "pearl clutching" and framing the project as a continuation of the White House's history of improvements by commanders-in-chief, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Questions Over Oversight and Transparency
The demolition reportedly began before plans were submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, a federal agency responsible for reviewing development proposals on federal lands in the Washington, D.C. area. The White House has said it intends to submit plans soon, but the delay has raised eyebrows among preservationists and officials.
Will Scharf, Trump's appointee and chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, defended the timing, stating the commission does not have jurisdiction over demolition and site preparation work, only over vertical construction. Scharf called the project "one of the most exciting construction projects in the modern history of the District" and dismissed calls for earlier consultation as a misunderstanding of the commission's role, as reported by POLITICO.
The commission's website and many federal agencies have been affected by a government shutdown, limiting public comment and official responses. The National Park Service also did not respond to requests for comment.
Secrecy and Photo Restrictions
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department, located adjacent to the demolition site, instructed employees not to share photos of the East Wing teardown, as reported by ABC News. This move to limit public visibility has fueled concerns about transparency and the administration's handling of the project.
What's Next for the East Wing?
The White House Historical Association has documented the East Wing and preserved artifacts from the demolition under the supervision of the White House Executive Residence and the National Park Service. The first lady's office and staff have been relocated within the White House complex and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to accommodate the construction.
Trump celebrated the ongoing work during a recent Senate Republican lunch, describing the construction noise as "music to my ears" and expressing enthusiasm for the project's progress, as reported by The Daily Beast.
A Bold Addition or a Historic Loss?
The White House Ballroom Project is the largest renovation in decades, promising a grand new space for official events. Yet, the demolition of the East Wing — a building with over a century of history — has sparked a fierce debate about preservation, transparency, and the limits of presidential authority over the nation's most iconic residence.
As the project moves forward, the clash between the Trump administration's vision and historic preservationists' concerns remains unresolved, leaving the public to watch as a piece of American history is literally torn down to make way for a new chapter.
References: Donald Trump Admits Just How Much of White House He Is Bulldozing | Trump: "We had take down the existing" White House East Wing structure | Entire East Wing expected to be demolished as soon as this weekend, sources say | 'It's your house. And he's destroying it': Trump demolishes White House East Wing
