Summary
President Donald Trump plans to add new features to the White House's West Wing after demolishing the East Wing for a new ballroom. The proposed addition includes a second level to the West Wing colonnade. The White House states these projects will be funded privately.
Key Facts
- President Trump has plans to modify the West Wing of the White House by adding a second level to its colonnade.
- The initial project involved demolishing the East Wing to build a 22,000 square-foot ballroom.
- The ballroom is funded by private donations and its estimated cost has risen from $200 million to $400 million.
- Despite backlash and a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the construction for the ballroom continues.
- The lawsuit argues that the administration bypassed necessary federal reviews; a follow-up court hearing is scheduled for January.
- Architect Shalom Baranes explains the West Wing addition aims to restore "symmetry" to the White House.
- The House announced the ballroom's capacity would be 650 people, an increase from the 200-person capacity of the East Room.
