This photo provided by the U.S. Library of Congress shows the East entrance of the White House, Washington, in 1906. U.S. Library of Congress via the Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s renovation of the East Wing began on Monday, sparking a mix of outrage, debate and historical facts.
The White House announced in July that it would be building the White House State Ballroom, calling it a “much-needed and exquisite addition.”
The ballroom is expected to be about 90,000 total square feet and cost about $200 million. As of Monday, an excavator was seen outside the White House tearing down parts of the East Wing. The East Wing has typically served as office space for the first lady and her staff.
President Bush waves as walks away from the East Wing of the White House to the neighboring Treasury Building for the swearing-in of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, July 10, 2006, in Washington. At right is chief of staff Joshua Bolton. | Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
This photo provided by the U.S. Library of Congress shows a crowd outside the White House on the wedding day of Jessie Woodrow Wilson, daughter of President Woodrow Wilson, who married Francis Bowes Sayre in a White House ceremony in Washington, Nov. 25, 1913. | U.S. Library of Congress via the Associated Press
A large ribbon is displayed outside the East Wing of the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
The East Wing Hallway of the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
First lady Melania Trump visits with Children in the East Wing among the 2017 holiday decorations with the theme "Time-Honored Traditions" at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. The first lady honored 200 years of holiday traditions at the White House. | Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
President Donald Trump talks with Jack Cornish, 10, of Birmingham, Ala., as he greets visitors touring the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 7, 2017. The president greeted the first wave of tourists to come through the White House since he assumed office, welcoming a small crowd of visitors in the East Wing, waving from behind a velvet rope as the crowd screamed, cheered and took photos. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press
President Lyndon B. Johnson holds a news conference in the White House theater in the East Wing of the building, Feb. 1, 1964. A reporter stands at right to ask a question. At the conference, Johnson said Sargent Shriver, director of the Peace Corps, will become his special assistant to direct the administration's campaign against poverty. | John Rous, Associated Press
The presidential seal above an entrance to the East Wing of the White House can be seen through holiday lights, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
A group of Native Americans from Oklahoma, members of the Chicksaw Nation, pose on steps of the East Wing of the White House, Washington, March 1, 1954, where they came to present a petition. In third row are Sens. Robert S. Kerr, D-Okla., and A.S. Mike Monroney, D-Okla., and Rep. Victor Wickersham, D-Okla. | Charles Gorry, Associated Press
The West Wing is lit up as President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Artwork by military children decorates a display in the East Colonnade of the East Wing at the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press
Vice President Kamala Harris, right, swears in Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, as Yellen's husband George Akerlof stands by, at the East Wing of the White House in Washington, Jan. 26, 2021, across from the Treasury building. | Patrick Semansky, Associated Press
Liz Carpenter, press secretary and staff director for first lady Lady Bird Johnson, poses for a photo in her office in the East Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 1963. On the walls are her Theta Sigma Phi Headliner Award and two photos of Johnson. | Harvey Georges, Associated Press
A Marine White House military social aide holds the door to the East Wing entrance of the White House during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations, Nov. 29, 2021, in Washington. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press
The East Wing of the White House is decorated with trees dedicated to Gold Star families for the holiday season during a press preview of holiday decorations at the White House, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington. | Patrick Semansky, Associated Press
A visitor looks at artwork by military-connected children on display along the public tour route at the White House in Washington, Friday, April 29, 2022, First lady Jill Biden has added a temporary installation in the East Wing of more then 20 pieces of artwork from military children across the country and those stationed around the world in honor of the Month of the Military Child. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
People watch from outside a security fence as demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a ballroom. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. | Associated Press
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