Construction crews finished tearing down the White House East Wing last week to make way for President Donald Trump’s privately funded ballroom, the first major change to the executive mansion since 1948 — and we have the newest renderings.
Demolition work began October 20 on the East Wing, which had traditionally housed the first lady’s offices since it was constructed in 1902.
Trump announced the ballroom project July 31, and said the White House needed a large entertaining space to host world leaders without relying on tents erected on the South Lawn.
We’re the United States.
We don’t entertain our distinguished guests in some tent.
Countries with half our GDP will receive our dignitaries in a centuries-old palace.
We’re so much better than this.
Build that ballroom! pic.twitter.com/1mLGxZdoQr
— Eric Matheny 🎙️ (@ericmmatheny) October 26, 2025
“For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed,” the White House said in its July announcement.
Trump said last week the project will cost $300 million and will accommodate 999 people, up from initial estimates of $200 million and 650 seated guests.
“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,” Trump wrote on Truth Social when demolition began. “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc.”
Trump promised in July the ballroom would be linked to the historic White House, but not interfere with day-to-day activities.
“It won’t interfere with the current building,” he said. “It will be near it but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
Trump insisted the ballroom will be funded entirely through private donations and his own money, with no taxpayer costs. The White House released a list of 37 donors last week, including major technology companies, defense contractors, and wealthy individuals.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is contributing $22 million as part of a settlement over Trump’s lawsuit against YouTube for suspending his account after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Lockheed Martin donated more than $10 million, according to company sources.
Other donors include Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, Coinbase, T-Mobile, Caterpillar, NextEra Energy, Altria Group, Comcast, Nvidia, and HP.
Individual donors include Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family, cryptocurrency exchange Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Republican donor Miriam Adelson and her family foundation, Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm, financier Stephen Schwarzman, and Marvel Entertainment’s former owner Isaac Perlmutter and his wife Laura.
Trump told reporters Friday night that more than $350 million had been raised for the project.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to disclose how much Trump personally contributed but said the administration would share that figure later.
“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said in July. “The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.”
Architectural renderings show a lavish interior with gold and crystal chandeliers, gilded Corinthian columns, a coffered ceiling with gold inlays, and a checkered marble floor. Three walls feature arched windows overlooking the South Lawn.
Take a look –
The best part about this faux outrage over Trump building a White House ballroom is that every future President, including Democratic administrations, is going to use it constantly. pic.twitter.com/mLh6ftBFgI
— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) October 23, 2025
Renderings of the planned White House State Ballroom pic.twitter.com/xSv1UPhbfB
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) July 31, 2025
The ballroom will be connected to the White House residence by what Trump described as a “glass bridge.” The sides of the ballroom will be made with bulletproof glass.
Construction is expected to finish before Trump’s term ends in January 2029.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance,” the White House said in July.
“The White House Ballroom is a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions” by prior presidents, the White House said.