New satellite imagery has revealed the complete demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for President Trump’s planned $300 million grand ballroom, with several historic trees and gardens removed in the process. The images, released on Thursday, provide the clearest evidence yet of the project’s scale, which has proceeded without standard approvals from preservation authorities.
The satellite photos, taken over the past month, show that the entire East Wing has been razed, marking a significant alteration to the White House complex. Preparations for the ballroom construction began in late September, with visible work including the removal of multiple trees in President’s Park. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, established in 1903, was also leveled during the demolition, adding to the environmental changes on the grounds.
Among the most notable losses are at least six trees, including two historic magnolia trees that commemorated Presidents Warren G. Harding and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Harding tree was originally planted by First Lady Florence Harding in 1922 and replanted in 1947, while the Roosevelt tree dates to 1942, both designated as commemorative trees in the 1950s. Their removal highlights the historical significance of the alterations, which have drawn concern from preservationists.
President Trump initially assured that the ballroom project would not interfere with the existing East Wing structure, stating in July that it would pay ‘total respect to the existing building.’ However, the satellite evidence contradicts this, showing the wing completely demolished. The White House has announced that the project began in September and is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s term, with the ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House itself.
The demolition has occurred without consultation with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which is typically involved in approving such changes to federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Former commission officials expressed alarm, noting that plans are usually submitted and approved before any work begins. Trump has remarked on the lack of an approval process, contrasting it with his experiences in New York real estate.
This is not the first alteration to White House grounds under Trump; earlier this year, the Rose Garden was paved over, also designed by the same architect as the Kennedy Garden. The ballroom, when completed, is projected to host over 900 guests, representing a major expansion of presidential entertainment facilities and raising questions about the balance between modernization and preservation.
The changes have sparked broader discussions about executive power and historical integrity, as the project bypasses standard regulatory frameworks. Moving forward, the construction is set to continue, with potential legal or political repercussions regarding the preservation of national landmarks and the precedents set for future administrations.