By Graham Carlson
President Trump began demolition of the East Wing of the White House on Monday, Oct. 20. The demolition is part of his plan to construct a $250 million ballroom where the East Wing stood – a plan he’s been alluding to since July. This has also fallen, notably, in the midst of a government shutdown.
Grand Rapids Community College student Andy Choc, 21, called the demolition a misstep. “The money could definitely be better allocated, but the workers had probably already been paid,” he said.
Plans for construction must first go through the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) before they can be put into action, but the same is not true for the demolition of the White House as it stands.
Ray Quiles, 18, said he believes that the project is within the President’s power, but expressed his disapproval for the $250 million ballroom itself. “There are certain things you shouldn’t be able to do with others’ money,” he said.
Trump has funded the ballroom himself, alongside numerous wealthy donors and corporations, such as Microsoft, Google, T-Mobile, and more. See the full list here.
The East Wing was first constructed in the early 1900s as a guest entrance. It would later serve to house an underground bunker as well as offices for the First Lady and other White House correspondents. It is perhaps best known for containing the White House Family Theater.
The new ballroom is projected to be 90,000 sq ft, notably larger than the White House itself at 55,000 sq ft. The Trump administration claims they plan to use the ballroom as a dedicated venue space for state dinners and other sponsored events.
There is no projected completion date for the project.
