Demolition crews began the process of building President Donald Trump‘s proposed $250 million White House ballroom on Monday, tearing down a portion of the facade of the White House’s East Wing.
The demo work on the traditional home of the First Lady’s office even though the National Capital Planning Commission has not approved the ballroom plans. That agency oversees all federal building construction projects in the capital region.
Trump announced the beginning of the work in a post to Truth Social. Trump stated that the East Wing was “completely separate from the White House,” which is only partially true. The East Wing is connected to the Executive Residence by the East Colonnade, which was enclosed in 1942 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“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,” he wrote. “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!”
While announcing the project in July, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that no part of the current White House would be razed during the renovation.
“Nothing will be torn down,” Leavitt said.
Start your day with essential news from Salon.
Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.
The Trump administration has not shared the names of the individuals and companies that Trump claims funded the construction costs of the ballroom.
The ballroom is the second major renovation Trump has undertaken in his second term. The president tore out the Rose Garden earlier this year, replacing it with a patio made of stone pavers.
