Friday, October 24, 2025

White House East Wing is Gone

After 123 years, the East Wing of the White House is no more. With no construction permits and no approved plans, President Donald Trump took less than two days to destroy an iconic image that was the first stop for anyone who had gone for an official tour of the People's House. Trump plans to build a 90,000-square-foot, $300 million ballroom.

Posted by Dbt2 at 01:09 PM | 48 COMMENTS | permalink

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The East Wing of the White House, which will be torn down by this weekend to make way for President Trump's new ballroom, has been a base for the first lady, an entryway for social functions and an emergency bunker. Here's what to know about its history.[image or embed]

" The New York Times (@nytimes.com) Oct 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM

New satellite images show the scale of demolition that has occurred on the East Wing of the White House in less than a month.[image or embed]

" Bellingcat (@bellingcat.com) Oct 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM

Comments

If a Muslim or "Antifa" had done this destruction, Trump/MAGA would have launched a pogrom against them.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-24 07:56 AM

It should be noted that the Trump Administration has not denied, when asked directly, if Donald has the power to destroy the Jefferson Memorial.

Donald Trump is jealous of past presidents and the respect shown to them.

When people with Donald's mental illness get jealous (and that's easy for them to do), they get dangerous.

So, yes. The Jefferson Memorial is at some risk.

And if Donald began demolition, every one of us here knows exactly what he would say"

"I HAVE AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT".

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-24 08:13 AM

No American would do this. Donald Trump is a Russian asset.

#3 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-10-24 09:04 AM

#3 | Posted by Alexandrite

I'm going to enjoy seeing Trump's ballroom picked apart after he dies.

I hope they put it on live stream. I'd do pay-to-view.

#4 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-24 09:22 AM

BREAKING: In a shocking moment, Karoline Leavitt admits that, as Americans are suffering behind high grocery prices and insurance premiums, "the ballroom is really the president's main priority."

Trump doesn't give a rat's patoot about anything else.

#5 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-10-24 09:23 AM

Makes you wonder what horrible crime Trump or his family committed in the east wing for them to demolish it so quickly.

#6 | Posted by qcp at 2025-10-24 09:26 AM

A perfect metaphor.

#7 | Posted by YAV at 2025-10-24 09:33 AM

I wonder what Trump could be compensating for with his huge ballroom.

#8 | Posted by MBlue at 2025-10-24 09:58 AM

Trump said he wouldn't touch the East Wing.

Then he tore it all down.

It's a disgrace and an American tragedy.

You cannot believe a word this man says.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 10:06 AM

Makes you wonder what horrible crime Trump or his family committed in the east wing for them to demolish it so quickly.

#6 | POSTED BY QCP

Removing all traces of where the Epstein Files were once kept?

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 10:08 AM

Meanwhile, SNAP funding will end at the end of this month leaving millions of Americans to go hungry.

Just shows you how this so called POTUS really feels about the people.

#11 | Posted by path at 2025-10-24 10:15 AM

This breaks my heart

Just a fact-based reminder

Trump is a temporary resident of the White House. He does not own it, nor does have even have control over it.

That building belongs to us, the US citizens.

Any significant change should ONLY come at the approval of the people's representatives-Congress.

And for those arguing that the people aren't paying for it, that is decidedly NOT a good thing. It is, in fact, decidedly, a bad thing.

That means ONLY that unknown actors are paying for access to the president, i.e. bribing him. That is OUR building, WE should be deciding it's construction and WE should be paying for it.

The "wrong" of this is so monumental as to beggar words.

This action has hit me harder in ways that other even worse things haven't, even the murdering he is doing.

Maybe it is my love of history, maybe it is my particular reverence for our heritage. Maybe it was I was prepared for the assaults on our liberties, I was prepared for murder, I was prepared for fascism. I was not prepared for the destruction of one of our nation's primary symbols.

I FEEL like I felt during the assault on the Capitol, like I am being violated.

This man has zero respect for our country; it is beyond despairing.

#12 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-10-24 10:22 AM

I FEEL like I felt during the assault on the Capitol, like I am being violated.

A completely valid and honest visceral reaction, IMHO. I agree with all you posted.
My hope is this finally wakes up enough people to end this.

#13 | Posted by YAV at 2025-10-24 10:32 AM

thanks a hell of a lot, Trump voters.
You all SUCK!

#14 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-10-24 10:39 AM

Who would be stupid enough to sign a contract with Trumpy for anything?

Much less the destruction of the east wing of the White House.

The Bin Laden and Sons Destruction Company?

#15 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 10:56 AM

The Bin Laden and Sons Destruction Company?

#15 | Posted by donnerboy

Which reminds me that Bin Laden originally targeted it on 9/ii but shifted to the Capitol as an easier target.

So Donald Trump is finishing the job that Osama could not do.

Good job.

#16 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-24 10:58 AM

It is, in fact, decidedly, a bad thing.

There has never been a 'no-strings attached' donation in Donald Trump's life.

#17 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-10-24 11:34 AM

Defenders seem to keep wanting to point to Truman's overhaul of the White House, but that's because it was structurally troubled. It was a necessity.

No one else has done, to the degree, that Trump is doing now...and that's why it's getting this attention.

This is Trump being Trump. Leaving his stain on everything.

#18 | Posted by brass30 at 2025-10-24 12:06 PM

Wait until the Demo Co tries to get paid.

And the fake gold Trump Palace Ballroom will be an eyesore inside and out.

#19 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-24 12:07 PM

America is under assault.

#20 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-24 12:17 PM

Trump's ballroom is cursed.

Nothing good will come of it; no good will come to the people building it or attending functions in it after it's done.

It's going to make a good ghost story until someone burns it to the ground.

#21 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-24 12:17 PM

@#18 ... it was structurally troubled. It was a necessity. ...

How so?

#22 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-10-24 12:22 PM

Gaslighter, use google -------.

#23 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 12:37 PM

I understand that he's already ordered the slot machines and card tables.

#24 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-24 12:42 PM

Hey republicans, how did you allow this to happen?
Why have no one. Questioned them over this?

#25 | Posted by a_monson at 2025-10-24 12:54 PM

"Hey republicans, how did you allow this to happen?"

There isn't a Republican alive who even cares.

#26 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-24 01:03 PM

Trump is a builder. Contrast his "getting things done" to the over regulation that is stifling the Palisades fire recovery.

#27 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 01:08 PM

Trump is a destroyer
#27 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

The man is chaos incarnate.

#28 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-24 01:10 PM

Creation is a destructive act. -Someone said sometime.

#29 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 01:16 PM

Creation?

What has been created?

Who's paying for it?

You don't know.

You don't care.

You're simply Trump's *itch.

#30 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-24 01:18 PM

The list of donors is public information.

#31 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 01:23 PM

When we were saying that the Trump WH is For Sale, we meant influence peddling.

Now that's been doubled down on; these Ballroom 'Donors' are investing in buying influence.

www.factcheck.org

But Trumpers are OK with that... they love their Billionaire Masters.

#32 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-24 01:32 PM

I suspect two things will eventually become public knowledge (after some effort to conceal them):

1. The estimate cost will greatly increase. It has already increased to $300 M. My guesstimate is it'll be $500 M.

2. The list of donors will shrink and/or they'll donate less than they have pledged.

At a time that the government is shut down and the wealthy are being given large tax breaks, this construction can best be described as a pathetic, shameful project.

#33 | Posted by TrueBlue at 2025-10-24 01:34 PM

Trump is a builder. Contrast his "getting things done" to the over regulation that is stifling the Palisades fire recovery.

#27 | Posted by visitor_

You are on stupid pile of s(*&.

#34 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-24 01:34 PM

The list of donors is public information.

POSTED BY VISITOR_

But not how much they donated (or will have to donate to finish it). Or what they will expect in return.

#35 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 01:34 PM

We can rebuild the east wing and the orange bunker boy's hideout...

RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!

#36 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-10-24 01:35 PM

Contrast his "getting things done" to the over regulation that is stifling the Palisades fire recovery.

#27 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

Ok. Done. So what is your point. Exactly?

AI Overview

+5
No, regulations are not preventing rebuilding after the Palisades fire; in fact, the government has issued executive orders to expedite the process by suspending certain regulations like some local permitting laws and environmental reviews. However, rebuilding still requires obtaining permits and following updated fire safety codes, and some residents have reported delays due to other issues like conflicting inspector opinions

#37 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 01:40 PM

Requiring six story concrete caissons for a 2000 sq foot house doesn't seem excessive?

#38 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 01:44 PM

Requiring six story concrete caissons for a 2000 sq foot house doesn't seem excessive?

#38 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

Wouldn't that depend on the circumstances?

Are you a structural engineer? Do you think you are a geotechnical or structural engineer? Are you capable of determining that without professional guidance and help?

I have no idea wtf you are talking about but I am sure there are very specific and rare circumstances where such an extreme foundation might be necessary to ensure structural safety. A geotechnical and structural engineer would need to make this determination.

#39 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 01:50 PM


This breaks my heart
~ TruthLies

DramaKid comes through in the clutch.

Does this really "break your heart"? What weak man you are.

FFS Citizens,the President puts up a tent for State dinners, this is the USA. Given there's a lawsuit to stop Trump from building, is there anything Trump is doing that you won't oppose?

Ok. Done. So what is your point. Exactly?

That when politicians say "we can rebuild" (Newsom), "we can stream line a process" (Bass,Mamdani) they are lying.

Trump in this counter example just shows you how messed up anti-growth advocates were, and the laws/regulations they created. America can build things, but the legal process is 1/3 of the costs, and 300% of the time, typically driving new home costs, new transit costs so high they don't get built.

Plenty of books on this topic, "Abundance", "Why nothing works". Read DonorBot, its fundamental.

Did you know a Chinese 20+ story apartment building caught on FIRE and didn't collapse.
www.nbcnews.com

Why does this happen in America with so much regulation?? WTC7?

#40 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-10-24 01:56 PM

Keep thinking a one story house needs a six story foundation and be surprised that only the ultra-wealthy can live there.

#41 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-24 01:56 PM

Well, that's another barrier to unchecked power demolished.
On to whatever else might be next on Old Yeller's list of oh, well, what the hell, why not shatterables.
Just to prove he operates without adult oversight.
A goddamn shame and totally preventable.

#42 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-24 01:57 PM

Keep thinking a one story house needs a six story foundation and be surprised that only the ultra-wealthy can live there.

#41 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

What makes you think I think that?

And how is that relevant to reality?

#43 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 01:58 PM

That when politicians say "we can rebuild" (Newsom), "we can stream line a process" (Bass,Mamdani) they are lying.

This also applied to DOGE. It was all BS, you hope for the best, but nothing gets done.

Things are too complicated for change, thanks to the byzantine law structure in America.

This is also why ObamaCare can't be unwound easily.

#44 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-10-24 02:00 PM

Read DonorBot, it's fundamental.

Send me the link to this "Donorbot" and perhaps I will read it.

Sounds like an interesting read. (Unlike your weak sauce)

#45 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 02:00 PM

I wonder if the rubes will catch on when the finished deal has onion domes.

#46 | Posted by 2020Rocks at 2025-10-24 02:06 PM

"Given there's a lawsuit to stop Trump from building, is there anything Trump is doing that you won't oppose?"

Good question.

I am opposed to supporting evil on earth. So I am opposed to his very existence. As I would be opposed to any other evil demon from hell trying to rule over me.

The world will be a better place when he is gone from it.

You don't like my opinion?

Tough.

Try and take it from me.

#47 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-24 02:09 PM

Donald 'Boondoggle' Trump... it's right there in his name.

Everything he does is some kind of scam intended to enrich himself, no one else.

Stopping a war isn't for the victims, it's for a Peace Prize. Attacking US cities isn't because of actual Insurrections, it's because politics.

Shutting down the Gov isn't for policy differences, it's to stop a vote on releasing the Epstein Files.

And building a Ballroom bigger than the WH isn't for the People, it's for the vested interests and for his yuge ego.

#48 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-24 02:14 PM

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