Trump had argued a permanent ballroom was long needed because rooms weren’t big enough inside the White House and tents set up on the south lawn often left guests with soggy feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it rains, it’s a disaster,\u201d Trump told reporters July 31. \u201cIt’s not a pretty sight.”<\/p>\n
More: A piano through the floor: The controversial history of White House renovations<\/a><\/p>\n The destruction of the East Wing contradicted Trump\u2019s July assurance that the new structure could be \u201cnear it but not touching it.” The project led to a public outcry, including former first lady Hillary Clinton saying “he’s destroying it” on social media Oct. 21.<\/p>\n The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on Oct. 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing $250 million on the eastern side of the White House.<\/p>\n But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, who described himself as an \u201camateur historian,\u201d defended the project as the latest improvement to the White House.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Trump is going to add the greatest improvement to the White House in the history of the building, since it was originally constructed in 1800,\u201d Johnson told reporters Oct. 22. \u201cThe ballroom is going to be glorious. It\u2019s going to be used for everybody. By the way, hey Democrats, if you win the White House back, you get to use it too. This is for the American people and he\u2019s using private funds to do it. How in the world could they oppose that?\u201d<\/p>\n What is East Potomac Park?<\/p>\n East Potomac Park is a popular city-run golf property that includes an 18-hole course, two 9-hole courses and a miniature course. As part of the National Links Trust, Tom Doak was announced in charge of a redesign of the property.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ee48de75d80534df82e0a9a9f63ede78.jpeg\"\/)
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