Overview
- Demolition of the White House East Wing is complete as the administration advances plans for a roughly 90,000-square-foot ballroom projected at about $300 million, funded by private donations.
- The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll finds 56% oppose and 28% support the project, with Republicans far more supportive than Democrats and most independents disapproving.
- The White House did not submit plans to the National Capital Planning Commission before demolition and later dismissed all six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts ahead of design review.
- Published donor lists name major companies and wealthy individuals, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Coinbase, Palantir, Comcast, HP and the Winklevoss twins.
- Senate Democrats led by Adam Schiff are seeking a full accounting of donations and any promised benefits, while preservation and ethics groups question the demolition-first approach and oversight.