Recently, the East Wing of the White House has been entirely demolished to clear the way for Donald Trump’s $300 million opulent ballroom project. This decision was announced just days ago and starkly opposes Trump’s previous assurance that the historical building would remain untouched.
On Friday, satellite images revealed a shocking sight—the eastern part of the historic structure reduced to debris, leading to significant discontent among historians, prior White House officials, and the general public.
Meanwhile, senior officials in the administration informed ABC News that Trump may potentially name the ballroom after himself, with whispers of it being referred to as The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom already circulating.
Not to be missed: Financial backers for Trump’s ballroom venture feature big names like Google, Apple, and Palantir
The demolition has created a significant reversal from Trump’s earlier commitment in July, where he assured that no part of the White House would be demolished during the ballroom’s construction.
The project moved forward despite federal requirements dictating that construction plans should first seek approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees renovation efforts of government properties in the area.
According to a White House spokesperson speaking to Reuters on Thursday, the necessary construction plans are anticipated to be submitted shortly. Another official clarified to the Guardian that demolition does not need a permit, asserting that only vertical builds require oversight, and that permits would be addressed when the time is right.
This week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit founded by act of Congress, sent a formal letter urging the White House to comply with legal requirements for public review before pushing forward with demolition plans.
Simultaneously, a couple from Virginia has taken legal action in Washington federal court, seeking a temporary restraining order against the initiative. In their request, Charles and Judith Voorhees claimed the construction was proceeding without any necessary approvals or legitimate reviews.
The couple’s motion indicated that the defendants were trying to Separates the East Wing’s demolition from the construction approval procedure to speed up work. This move ultimately skips crucial preservation and planning reviews mandated by federal law required for alterations made to a named national landmark.
Financial supporters for the forthcoming ballroom include a multitude of tech giants. Some of the notable contributors comprise Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google. Additionally, defense and communication corporations have financially assisted the effort, such as Lockheed Martin, Palantir, T-Mobile, and Comcast.
Relishing in the prospects of the expansive 90,000 square feet ballroom, Trump proclaimed that funding is entirely covered by himself and a few acquaintances.
