U.S President Donald Trump has long promised to build a ballroom on the White House campus.
He originally said it wouldn’t touch the existing structure. But after just four days, the East Wing is gone. Torn down to make way for a much bigger ballroom than originally planned.

Washington

The White House, a historic symbol of the United States, is undergoing significant changes as President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to demolish the East Wing and construct an 8,300-square-meter ballroom. Trump has stated that the $300 million project will be funded through donations, not taxpayer money. 

Public response to the project has been divided. While some support the renovation, citing the need for updates, a recent poll shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of the demolition, with only 28 percent in favor. Debris from the East Wing has been relocated to a federally run golf course and park, further fueling local discontent.

Trump’s $300m White House ballroom project sparks controversy

It is synonymous with the United States, one of the most recognizable buildings in America. The country's very first president, George Washington, selected the site himself. He would go on to be the only U.S. president not to live here. Construction started in 1791, built by slaves, and finished in 1800. The original interior didn't last long, burned by British soldiers during the War of 1812, leaving behind just a shell. Rebuilt, 13 years later, a bit of a remodel. The now-famed North and South Porticoes were added. But then Theodore Roosevelt moved in with his six young children. Things got tight, given it was the president's house and office, so he ordered the West Wing built, and then the East Wing, in order to welcome visitors. But then came World War II. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt needed a bunker, so they built it under the East Wing and added more offices. His very influential wife, Eleanor, often worked from there, setting the tone for future first ladies that had their offices in the East Wing. But the interior of the White House that the first families now live in is not original. When President Harry Truman's daughter's piano almost fell through the second floor, engineers said the entire structure was crumbling, saying it was only standing out of habit. The entire interior was gutted. Only the outer walls remained. It took just four days for the latest major change to the White House. The East Wing demolished. Donald Trump says he will build a more than 8,300-square-meter ballroom, which will be considerably bigger than the White House. He says the $300 million cost will be paid with donations. Reactions have been mixed. I've never seen a White House in the condition where it's just a construction zone, and it looks like it's destroyed. So if there's ever a symbolism for this presidency, there it is. It's his house. It's his house. He can do with it. He's spending his money and not my taxpayer money. It's OK with me. And as with any old house, things need to be renovated. Some of the debris from the East Wing has been trucked here and dumped at this federally run golf course and park, unpopular with the people of D.C., but the reason for it proving unpopular with the American people. In a recent poll, the majority said they disapproved of the demolition, with only 28 percent of people saying they support it. Patty Culhane, Al Jazeera, Washington.

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