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The White House said Thursday it would be impossible to save the East Wing because of the building’s major structural problems, as officials defended its demolition while unveiling details of President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million ballroom.
Josh Fisher, director of the White House’s Office of Management, cited an unstable roof, water leaks and mold contamination, and said it was more cost-effective to demolish the historic East Wing than to renovate it.
“Because of this and other factors, the cost analysis proved that demolition and reconstruction provided ownership with the lowest cost and the most effective long-term strategy,” said Fisher during a meeting with the National Financial Planning Commission, which is charged with approving the project.
The chairman of this commission, Will Scharf, who is also a White House official, told the media that he believes that the project will eventually be passed.
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Architect Shalom Baranes points to a board during a meeting of the National Capitol Planning Commission discussing the White House ballroom project on Jan. 8, 2026, Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Scharf argued during the meeting that the White House needs a bigger, better place to do big jobs. He said that if the president receives dignitaries such as King Charles III of Great Britain, “he will probably be hosted in a tent on the South Lawn with porta-potties.”
In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to halt construction on the stadium, accusing the Trump administration of skipping mandatory reviews and failing to seek congressional approval before demolishing the East Wing.
Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the Trust, said Thursday’s launch by the White House is “a good and necessary first step,” while urging the administration to comply with all necessary legal review and approval processes before starting construction.
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An excavator works to clear debris after the demolition of the East Wing of the White House on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
More formal review of the project, including public testimony and votes, is expected after the White House submits a more detailed proposal.
The project’s architect, Shalom Baranes, who was appointed by Trump in December to lead the next phase of the ballroom project, gave the commission a detailed presentation, including the rendering of the ballroom and ideas for the White House complex and addition.
Baranes suggested that the design could include adding a second story to the West Wing colonnade to help make the White House more uniform with a new ballroom on the east side, but cautioned that it would have a major impact on the area outside the Oval Office.
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Construction of the White House playroom continued on December 17th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In addition to the planned ballroom, officials say the project will also improve visitor access to the White House and include improvements across the street in Lafayette Park.
Phil Mendelson, a Democrat on the commission and chairman of the D.C. Council, questioned whether the size and location of the ballroom was upheld, saying the proposed ceiling height of 38 to 40 feet “would be difficult” for the existing building.
Baranes replied that “anything could happen,” but noted that the plans had been thoroughly revised.
Mendelson also asked why the idea was not presented to the commission before the East Wing was demolished in October.
In response, Fisher said some aspects of the project are “top secret” and should be handled appropriately.
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The White House is on view in Washington, DC, as officials defend demolition of the East Wing and unveil plans for President Donald Trump’s privately funded $400 million ballroom. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
The White House announced in July that a 90,000-square-foot facility would be built at a then-estimated cost of $200 million. Trump said the project was privately funded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
