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The White House said Thursday that saving the East Wing was not feasible due to serious structural problems, as officials defended its demolition while revealing details of President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million ballroom.
Josh Fisher, director of the White House Office of Management, cited an unstable colonnade, water leaks and mold contamination, and said it was cheaper to tear down the historic East Wing than to renovate it.
“Due to this and other factors, the cost analysis showed that demolition and reconstruction provided the lowest total cost of ownership and the most effective long-term strategy,” Fisher said during a meeting with the National Capital Planning Commission, charged with approving the project.
Committee Chairman Will Scharf, who is also a White House official, told reporters that he believes the bill will ultimately be approved.
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Architect Shalom Baranes points to a rendering on a whiteboard during a National Capitol Planning Commission meeting discussing the White House ballroom project on January 8, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Scharf argued during the meeting that the White House needed a large, elegant space for important functions. He said that when the president hosts distinguished guests like Britain’s King Charles III, “he will most likely be greeted in a tent on the South Lawn with port-a-potties.”
In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop construction of the ballroom, 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 presentation by the White House was a “good and necessary first step,” while urging the administration to comply with all legally required review and approval processes before beginning construction.
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An excavator works to clear debris after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
A more formal review of the project, including public testimony and votes, is expected after the White House presents a more detailed proposal.
The project’s architect, Shalom Baranes, who was tapped by Trump in December to lead the next phase of the ballroom project, gave the commission a detailed presentation, which included renderings of the ballroom and views of the White House complex with the expansion.
Baranes suggested the design could include adding a second story to the West Wing colonnade to help make the White House more seamless with the new ballroom on the east side, but cautioned that it would dramatically impact the space outside the Oval Office.
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Construction of the White House ballroom continued on December 17. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In addition to the planned ballroom, officials say the project will also streamline visitor access to the White House and involve improvements across the street at Lafayette Park.
Phil Mendelson, a Democrat on the committee and president of the D.C. Council, asked if the size and location of the ballroom were solidified and said the planned ceiling height of 38 to 40 feet would be “overwhelming” for the existing building.
Baranes responded that “anything is possible,” but noted that the plans have already been thoroughly reviewed.
Mendelson also questioned 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 were “top secret in nature” and needed to be handled accordingly.
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The White House is seen in Washington, DC, as officials defend the demolition of the East Wing and outline 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 space would be built at a then-estimated cost of $200 million. Trump has said the project is being privately funded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.