Trump Turns Tradition to Gold as East Wing Comes Down for Lavish Ballroom Makeover

 

The White House grounds haven’t seen a sight like this in decades — cranes, bulldozers, and construction crews tearing into the East Wing. On Monday morning, the rumble of heavy machinery echoed across Pennsylvania Avenue as workers began demolishing part of the historic structure. The reason? President Donald Trump’s latest passion project — a $250 million gilded ballroom that promises to be, in his words, “the most beautiful in the world.”

Daily Mail photos showed a backhoe taking big bites out of the once-pristine white facade, while onlookers — staffers, reporters, and the simply curious — gathered to watch a literal piece of history being reshaped. What was once home to First Ladies’ offices and press briefings is now making way for Trump’s vision of glittering grandeur.

When the ballroom plan was first revealed, officials downplayed any suggestion of demolition. “It won’t interfere with the current building,” Trump said confidently. “It pays total respect to the existing structure, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favorite.” Yet, by Monday afternoon, the “respect” appeared to involve quite a lot of rubble.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that the East Wing is being “modernized,” not destroyed, describing the project as “necessary construction.” Trump himself echoed that language in a Truth Social post later in the day, insisting the East Wing would be “more beautiful than ever when complete.”

A Ballroom Fit for Mar-a-Lago

The plans certainly sound extravagant. Renderings of the proposed 25,000-square-foot ballroom show a golden spectacle straight out of a royal palace — crystal chandeliers, ornate columns, mirrored walls, and enough gilding to make Versailles blush. The president envisions hosting state dinners, galas, and formal receptions there — all under ceilings lined with gold leaf and patriotic murals.

The ballroom is said to be privately funded, with Trump personally contributing and a roster of wealthy donors signing on. Among those backing the build are corporate heavyweights from Apple, Google, Lockheed Martin, and T-Mobile. Last week, Trump toasted his billionaire benefactors during a glittering dinner at the White House, thanking them for their “tremendous generosity.”

“We’re here to celebrate you,” he told the crowd. “Because of you, they’re going to get it — and me too.” He even shared that one donor had asked, “Sir, will $25 million be appropriate?” To which Trump replied with a grin, “I’ll take it.”

From History to High Society

The East Wing has stood since 1902, first added under Theodore Roosevelt as a modest entryway for visitors. Over the decades, it grew in purpose and stature — housing offices for First Ladies, wartime staff, and press operations. Eleanor Roosevelt once worked there; Michelle Obama hosted public events there. Now, it’s giving way to a ballroom that will host 1,000 guests behind bulletproof glass.

Trump’s fascination with grandeur is nothing new. Even before entering politics, he floated the idea of a permanent White House ballroom back in 2010, reportedly telling Obama adviser David Axelrod that “those tents on the lawn look terrible.” Since then, Trump has reimagined much of the presidential residence — from a redesigned Rose Garden to a re-gilded Oval Office.

During an event on Monday with Louisiana State University baseball teams, Trump couldn’t resist referencing the ongoing demolition. He pointed to the East Room’s large window and said, “That’s a knock-out panel — it’s going to open right into the ballroom. Drinks, cocktails, dinner, everything right through there.”

A Golden Era or Gilded Excess?

Supporters hail the project as a dazzling modernization of an aging wing, while critics see it as an unnecessary — even self-indulgent — display of opulence amid a government shutdown. But for Trump, this is legacy work.

“There won’t be anything like it,” he said proudly. “It’s going to be the most beautiful ballroom anywhere — in Washington or the world.”

Whether the golden ballroom becomes a shining addition to White House history or just another chapter in Trump’s flair for the dramatic, one thing is certain: the East Wing will never look the same again.