Featured Image Credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, News, US News, Money
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, News, US News, Money
Donald Trump's nine-figure renovations are in full swing after part of the White House was torn down to make way for the glamorous new ballroom on Monday (20 October).
For those not up to date, the Republican leader, 79, first announced his shock plans to transform the official presidential residence back in July.
He was met with backlash after announcing that the White House would be getting a whopping $250m (£186m) new ballroom, boasting 90,000 total square feet and the capacity to seat 650 people.
Trump confirmed that he would be reaching into his own pocket, along with a slew of mystery donors, to fund the controversial renovation project.
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However, not everyone was impressed and some people were astounded by the way that the money was being spent.
And now, the backlash seems to be getting worse after it was revealed this week that parts of the White House's East Wing have been demolished to make room for the swanky ballroom.
As per the BBC, on Monday, construction crews 'tore down massive chunks of a covered entryway and windows in the East Wing'.
Announcing that the work had begun on social media, Trump penned: "I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom.
"Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!"
He added: "For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honoured to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway - with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!
"The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!"
However, the tearing down of the East Wing contradicts earlier statements by the US president, as he said in July that the ballroom 'won't interfere with the current building'.
At the time, Trump said: "It won't be. It'll be near it but not touching it - and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of. It's my favourite. It's my favourite place. I love it."
But, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said in July that 'the necessary construction will take place'.
Reacting to the news of construction starting, many people have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts.
One disappointed user penned: "My god this is awful! Such money wasted."
A second agreed: "Who’s wanted that? Not the taxpayers."
A third angrily penned: "I don’t care how much it costs - The next Dem president should tear down that monstrosity of a ballroom and rebuild the East Wing. Tear up the concrete and put the rose garden back in. This is OUR house not a goddamn Holiday Inn Express."
Meanwhile, someone else questioned: "Isn't the White House, which belongs to the American people, and is official residence of the duly elected president, a strictly protected historical building? What we call an untouchable Heritage building, in our country. How can he just demolish the East wing like that?"
However, another person pointed out: "The East Wing isn't part of the main house. It was added in 1942 and has been remodelled multiple times."
The East Wing was built in 1902 and given a second floor under then-president Franklin Roosevelt in 1942.