Nadene Goldfoot
At US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likely assumed that he was at the front of his host’s mind, or at least the issues he had come to discuss were: Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and a pardon. Mar-a-Lago ballroom is elegant.
By all accounts, the two leaders enjoyed a friendly and productive meeting, and also spent New Year’s Eve together at the resort’s black tie ball.
The East Wing of the White House was demolished in late 2025 to build a large ballroom, a project initiated by President Trump, sparking controversy and lawsuits from preservationists who argued it lacked proper federal review and congressional approval. Demolition began in October 2025, with the structure largely gone by late 2025.
The new, expansive ballroom, intended for large events is still in the air, not replacing the historic East Wing, which had served as offices for the First Lady and her staff, a visitor entrance, and housed the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
The full East Wing of the White House is being torn down to make way for President Trump's new ballroom, contradicting his pledge that the project would not interfere with the existing U.S. landmark. 1/19]25 The demolition of the East Wing of the White House, the location of President Trump's proposed ballroom, is seen from an elevated position on the North side of the White House, October 23. REUTERS/ Andrew Leyden Purchase Licensing Rights
The Wing was demolished, leaving the walls open to the public.It is to be paid for by: Claims by the administration to be privately funded, with major corporations and individuals donating. No money showing up; no building going on. Controversy: Preservation groups sued, alleging violations of federal laws requiring environmental and design reviews, and congressional authorization for such significant changes to a historic site. Historical Context: While controversial, additions and changes to the White House campus, including the East Wing itself (built in the 1940s), have occurred throughout history.
There wasn't a "demolition crew" for the entire East Wing; rather, construction firm Clark Construction led recent work under the Trump administration (Oct. 2025) to renovate/rebuild parts of it, particularly for a new ballroom, working with McCrery Architects, following plans that involved removing existing structures and adding new. Finishing the East Wing into a new, larger ballroom at the White House involves a projected cost of around $300 million, funded by private donors, with demolition of the existing East Wing occurring to build a 90,000 sq ft structure for large events. The project, championed by President Trump, is the most significant physical change to the White House in decades, sparking controversy despite assurances of no taxpayer expense, according to news reports from late 2025.
The East Wing's core structure has seen major internal gutting during the Truman renovation (1948-1952) and additions in 1902 and 1942. From 1948 to 1952, the entire White House, including the East Wing's structure, underwent President Harry Truman's massive "gut renovation" to address severe structural issues, involving dismantling the interiors, preserving only outer walls, and rebuilding with modern steel and concrete, making it safe but also drawing criticism for losing historic interiors, notes NPR. Structural Collapse Fear: The aging structure was declared unsafe, with floors sinking, requiring the Trumans to move to Blair House for years.
Harry S. Truman was President from April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953, a total of 8 years or 2 terms.
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