Demolition began this week on part of the White House’s East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump’s proposed $250 million ballroom. The project, which began amid a government shutdown, is drawing sharp criticism and plenty of late-night punchlines.
East Wing demolition underway
The East Wing, which houses the First Lady’s offices and the main visitor entrance, is being partially torn down to build a 90,000 square-foot ballroom that could host nearly 1,000 guests.
Photos of the demolition circulated on Monday, sparking concern among preservationists who argue the administration moved ahead before the National Trust for Historic Preservation could conduct an assessment. According to The Washington Post, Treasury Department employees were also instructed not to take or share pictures of the construction site.
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Late-night hosts weigh in
Comedians quickly turned the project into late-night material. On “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he joked, “For Trump, knocking down walls is easy — it’s building them that’s hard.”
Stephen Colbert echoed the disbelief, saying, “We’re just nine months into Trump’s term, and he’s going ‘Hulk smash’ on the White House. This is happening after Trump specifically promised his ballroom construction wouldn’t touch the existing White House. At this point, who even believes it’s going to end up being a ballroom? It could just as easily end up being a combination Pizza Hut, Taco Bell.”
Michael Kosta of “The Daily Show” added, “The government shutdown is now in its third week. Countless federal employees aren’t being paid, food stamps will run out soon, and there’s no end in sight. But not to worry — President Trump is working day and night to build a ballroom.”
Administration responds
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” telling the host that Democrats “certainly appear” jealous of the ballroom. The president has maintained that the renovation is no different from updates made by past leaders.
However, several outlets report that the ballroom construction marks the largest White House project in over a decade. The bulk of the East Wing was added in 1942 under Franklin D. Roosevelt to cover an underground bunker. He also installed an indoor pool. President Harry Truman later oversaw a full interior reconstruction in 1952, while Barack Obama added an outdoor basketball court in 2009.
Ballroom timeline
The timing of the demolition, as the government shutdown enters its third week, has raised eyebrows. The White House says the expansion is privately funded and not taxpayer-financed.
Late-night host Seth Meyers quipped, “You guys, I don’t think he’s planning on leaving in three years. If I had three years left on a lease, I wouldn’t even put up a shelf.”
According to The Associated Press, construction is expected to continue through Trump’s current term, with completion slated for January 2029.
