Overview
- Crews finished tearing down the East Wing to make space for a roughly $300 million, privately funded ballroom described as about 90,000 square feet with seating claims rising to 999.
- The White House released a donor list featuring major technology and defense firms, with Alphabet’s contribution described in court filings as part of a legal settlement routed through the Trust for the National Mall.
- Rep. Bennie G. Thompson sent letters to more than 20 corporate donors seeking donation amounts, any promised benefits, and disclosure of federal contracts, with responses requested by November 7.
- The administration says National Capital Planning Commission approval was not required for demolition and that construction plans will be submitted soon, a position preservationists dispute as they call for formal reviews.
- The teardown eliminated spaces including the first lady’s offices, the White House theater, and access to the presidential bunker; staff were relocated and bunker renovations will be overseen by the White House Military Office, according to reports.