The White House Has Started Construction of a New Ballroom
The White House has begun the demolition of part of the East Wing to build a new ballroom at the initiative of President Donald Trump. This was reported by The Washington Post, which published photographs showing an excavator demolishing part of the building.
Witnesses noted that the work is taking place directly on the grounds of the presidential residence. The sounds of construction can be heard even in neighboring buildings, such as the Department of the Treasury.
"This will not hinder the current building. It will not hinder. It will be next to it, but will not touch it," Trump remarked about the construction of the ballroom covering 90,000 square feet.
Support from Major Companies
The project, estimated to cost $250 million, involves replacing the East Wing of the White House, built in 1902. A hall is also planned to accommodate up to 650 people, as existing facilities are insufficient for large ceremonial events.
The construction of the new ballroom is funded with the participation of companies such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Coinbase, which donated $25 million to the project. This move will allow Trump to improve the conditions for government events and highlight his ambitions for the development of the White House.
It is noted that the construction is perceived as an attempt to tidy up and modernize the presidential residence, as well as to demonstrate the significance and solidity of government events.