After several days of construction, the East Wing of the White House was largely demolished as of the 23rd, making space for the new White House 'State Banquet Hall.' President Trump’s decision to launch such major construction regardless of historic preservation has attracted persistent criticism from public opinion.
According to China News Service, the demolished East Wing was originally built in 1902 and underwent renovation and expansion in 1942. The building has long served as the office area for the First Lady and her staff, and also houses a cinema and a visitor entrance. In July 2025, the White House released a rendering of the proposed 'State Banquet Hall,' which is expected to accommodate about 900 people once completed.
U.S. media reported that the Trump administration began the demolition of the White House East Wing on the 20th without the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. This move was opposed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which issued a statement saying that the 'State Banquet Hall' would visually overshadow the main structure of the White House and 'permanently destroy the classical architectural symmetry and balance of the East and West Wings.'
Senate Minority Leader, Democrat Schumer, criticized in his opening remarks in the Senate on the 23rd that while millions of Americans face healthcare difficulties, Trump is preoccupied with a project that 'only serves his personal vanity and is of no benefit to the American people.'
Republicans, however, downplayed it as the latest in a long line of White House renovations. Some GOP lawmakers cited examples such as the Oval Office being added during President Taft’s administration in 1909, and former President Obama converting the White House tennis court for use as a basketball court. Speaker of the House and Republican, Johnson, said, 'The banquet hall, once completed, will be truly magnificent.'
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly stated that the White House East Room, which can only accommodate about 200 people, is too small and that a larger event space is needed, expressing dissatisfaction that the president has to pitch tents on the South Lawn for state banquets or large events.
The White House 'State Banquet Hall' will cost $250 million (1.057 billion ringgit), funded by corporate and private donations, and is scheduled to be in use before the end of Trump's term in January 2029.