East Wing of White House must be torn down, Trump says
American President Donald Trump has called for the “existing structure” of the White House’s East Wing to be torn down to allow for the construction of a new $250 million (£186 million) ballroom. Crews began demolishing parts of the structure earlier this week, with two officials from the administration telling CBS that it will be completely torn down by the weekend.
It is part of an expansion of the construction project that Trump announced over the summer. The President previously said that the addition of a ballroom will not “interfere with the current building,” rejecting accusations that he has not been transparent over the full extent of the works. “I think we’ve been more transparent than anyone’s ever been,” he told reporters.
The White House has been the home for the American President for 200 years, but the East Wing was only constructed in 1902. It was last altered in 1942. It is the part of the White House which holds offices for the first lady and other staff, and hosts meetings and special events.
The building, Trump said, had been through multiple changes through the years, saying that it has “very, very much changed from what it was originally,” adding that it was “never thought of as being much” and that the changes have been wanted “for at least 150 years.”
The construction is fully funded by Trump and “some friends of mine, donors,” adding that the military is also involved. Construction was announced on a social media post, with Trump saying “ground has been broken” on the “much-needed” space.
The East Wing, he said, was “completely separate” from the White House, though it is connected to the main building.
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