The entire White House East Wing, a two-story structure that once housed offices and workspaces for first ladies and their staffs, was reduced to a pile of rubble by Thursday as President Donald Trump's plans for a ballroom move forward.

President Trump said the 90,000-square-foot ballroom will now total $300 million to construct, have previously said $200 million, but claimed it would be at no cost to taxpayers.

"I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!" he previously wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Scripps News ha

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