(The Hill) - President Trump had the East Wing of the White House demolished this week, a change of course from previous statements that his massive, privately funded ballroom addition would be near but not touch the structure.

Starting Monday, construction equipment broke the facade of the portion of the White House complex that was home to offices of the first lady. By Thursday, very little remained.

“In order to do it properly we had to take down the existing structure,” Trump, flanked by renderings of the ballroom, told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

The move has garnered both criticism and support.

Take a look here at how it unfolded.

Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, before construction

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