Demolition has begun on part of the East Wing of the White House in preparation for the construction of US President Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
Construction crews on Monday used cranes to rip out massive chunks of a covered entryway and windows in the East Wing, according to photos and witness accounts from the scene.
Trump previously said that his $250 million White House ballroom addition would be “near” the existing structure but would not change it.
“It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be. It’ll be near it but not touching it — and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” Trump said in July. “It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it.”
The White House has served as the historic home of the US president for two centuries. The East Wing was constructed in 1902 and was last modified in 1942.
From the south side of the building, the BBC saw several large pieces of construction equipment – some adorned with U.S. flags – near the East Wing of the White House.
The covered entryway, which spans much of the East Wing’s south side, appeared to be being gutted, with concrete debris and metal cables clearly visible from several hundred meters.
The activity had attracted a small number of curious onlookers who stopped to ask photographers and reporters what was going on.
One woman, who was wearing a surgical mask and a sign with an anti-Trump slogan on it, expressed her dismay. She did not identify herself.
“I don’t like it,” she said – seemingly speaking to nobody in particular – as she gestured at the White House from behind a yellow van that was parked nearby. “Look what he’s doing to it!”
Trump and the White House have not yet commented on the demolition or why construction appears to have damaged the existing East Wing despite the president’s previous statements.
