White House East Wing demolished, new images appear to show

New images released on Thursday reveal the complete demolition of the White House East Wing to make room for President Donald Trump’s proposed $300 million ballroom. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended the demolition during a press briefing, stating that the entire East Wing would be modernized as the new 90,000 square foot ballroom is constructed.

Initially, President Trump had assured that the project would not disrupt the existing White House structure. However, recent developments saw the entire East Wing being razed to the ground, as shown in satellite images from Planet Labs PBC.

The decision to demolish the East Wing sparked controversy, with questions raised about the lack of public information and the funding source for the project. Leavitt responded by stating that the construction costs, including the ballroom, would be privately funded by the President and other benefactors. She assured that Trump would disclose the amount of personal resources he would commit to the project.

Criticism also arose regarding the lack of approval for the construction plans from the National Capital Planning Commission. Leavitt argued that they did not require approval for demolition, only for vertical construction. Trump himself recounted being informed by individuals that he had the authority to make changes without seeking approval.

As the situation continues to unfold, updates on the project are expected. Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.