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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Friday, October 24, 2025

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.

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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

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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 | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 2

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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

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

#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 | Reply

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 4

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 | Reply | Funny: 1

A perfect metaphor.

#7 | Posted by YAV at 2025-10-24 09:33 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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

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

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 6

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 | Reply

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

#14 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-10-24 10:39 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

America is under assault.

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

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 | Reply

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

How so?

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

Gaslighter, use google asshole.

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

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

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

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 | Reply

"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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

Trump is a destroyer
#27 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

The man is chaos incarnate.

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

Creation is a destructive act. -Someone said sometime.

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

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 | Reply

The list of donors is public information.

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

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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