Overview
- Satellite imagery and reporting confirm the East Wing has been demolished and construction of the new ballroom is underway.
- The Wall Street Journal reports Trump is personally involved in planning, weighing interior finishes, window dimensions, and the building’s exact placement.
- ABC News reported officials expect the room to carry Trump’s name, but the president publicly denied plans to name it after himself and floated a generic title.
- A White House official told ABC that $350 million has been raised against an estimated $300 million cost, prompting scrutiny over donor transparency and any surplus.
- Lawmakers and preservation groups criticized the demolition and requested documentation and heritage assessments by November 6, while plans are expected to be presented to the NCPC.