He said the project is being privately funded by “by many generous Patriots”.
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 US flags – near the East Wing.
Trump wrote in his post that the East Wing was “completely separate” from the White House, though it is attached to the main structure.
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!”
