Overview
- Demolition crews have begun tearing down parts of the East Wing to clear space for a new ballroom, according to multiple outlets.
- Daniels, 98, recalled performing 1776 in the East Room for Richard Nixon and said the president has ripped a piece of history from Americans’ lives.
- Some reporting indicates the East Room itself is not being altered with work focused on former first ladies’ offices, though coverage differs on which areas are affected.
- Outlets describe plans for a roughly 90,000-square-foot venue with capacity reported up to 999 guests and cost estimates rising toward $300 million.
- A White House spokesperson said the upgrades come at no taxpayer expense and will benefit future presidents and visitors as reaction to Daniels’ post remained divided.