White House Demolishes East Wing for Trump's Ballroom

Memo says historic features were 'excellently preserved' during demolition process.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The White House has demolished the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom planned by former President Donald Trump. An administration memo states that the historic facade of the White House was 'excellently preserved' during the demolition, and that crews took steps to protect the residence and document significant artifacts. The project has faced public backlash and a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Why it matters

The demolition of the East Wing, a historic part of the White House complex, has sparked controversy over the preservation of the building's architectural heritage. The planned ballroom project raises questions about the balance between modernization and historical conservation at the nation's most iconic residence.

The details

Contractors took measures to protect the White House residence during demolition, including keeping heavy equipment at a safe distance, removing some pieces by hand, and monitoring vibration and crack movement. Curators documented and preserved various historical artifacts, including the East Wing cornerstone, movie theater furniture, columns, wood paneling, and other fixtures. The White House also submitted renderings of the planned ballroom, which shows a massive new building that dwarfs the size of the demolished East Wing.

  • Demolition of the East Wing began in the fall of 2025 with little advance notice.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission has requested more details about the demolition and is scheduled to discuss the project at a meeting on March 5, 2026.

The players

Joshua Fisher

Director of the White House Office of Administration, who wrote a memo detailing the demolition process and preservation efforts.

National Capital Planning Commission

The agency that has jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington, D.C. region, and is led by a top Trump aide.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A nonprofit organization that has sued to halt construction of the ballroom, citing concerns over the preservation of the White House's historic architecture.

Donald Trump

The former president who planned the ballroom project that led to the demolition of the East Wing.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to ensure that some of these items will be integrated into the new structure.”

— Joshua Fisher, Director of the White House Office of Administration (wbal.com)

What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the ballroom project at a meeting on March 5, 2026, where they will likely consider the details provided in the administration memo and make a decision on whether to approve the project.

The takeaway

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a new ballroom highlights the ongoing tension between preserving the historic architecture of the nation's most iconic residence and accommodating the modernization and renovation plans of its occupants. The controversy surrounding this project underscores the importance of balancing historical conservation with the evolving needs and priorities of the presidency.