Overview
- Architect James C. McCrery II has cautioned that a 90,000-square-foot addition could overshadow the 55,000-square-foot White House, though the White House says he remains a consultant on the project.
- Cost and capacity targets have risen from an initial $200 million and 650 guests to figures President Trump has floated near $300 million and roughly 1,000 attendees.
- The East Wing was demolished on Oct. 23 and a fenced construction site is active, even though plans had not been filed with the National Capital Planning Commission and do not appear on its preliminary agenda.
- The project relies on private donations, including from companies with federal contracts such as Amazon, Lockheed Martin and Palantir, prompting Democratic calls for disclosures and proposed limits on conflicted contributions.
- Preservation groups warn the massing and height could overwhelm the Executive Mansion, and Michelle Obama has described the demolition of the East Wing as a national loss.