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Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, News, US News, Social Media, Twitter
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, News, US News, Social Media, Twitter
Donald Trump has found himself in hot water once again, but this time it's after he made a dramatic U-turn on his White House ballroom plan.
The US President, 79, has today (23 October) confirmed that the entire East Wing of the historical White House is being entirely demolished, despite previously reassuring people that the new addition 'wouldn't interfere with the current building'.
For those who need a reminder, the Republican leader first announced his controversial plans to build a $200 million (£151 million) ballroom back in July.
The announcement was met with backlash as people weren't impressed with how such a large sum of potentially tax-paid money was being spent.
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Trump confirmed at the time that he would be funding the new ballroom himself, along with a slew of mystery donors, who are also said to be chipping in.
When he first unveiled plans for the large 90,000-square-foot ballroom, he declared that it would be located near the existing East Wing and not replace it entirely.
However, today he has confirmed that the entire existing structure is being taken down - and people are not happy.
Demolition work began on Monday (20 October) as crews were pictured ripping down sections of the building, which holds offices for the first lady and staff.
But it only became clear two days later that the entire structure would be demolished.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office today, Trump revealed: "We determined that, after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, we determined that really knocking it down, trying to use a little section - you know, the East Wing, was not much."
He added: "Rather than allowing that to hurt a very expensive, beautiful building. In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure."
Trump then pointed at a model of the new ballroom and structure leading to it, which is where the East Wing used to be, adding: "The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House. We don’t touch the White House.
"That’s a bridge, a glass bridge going from the White House to the ballroom."
Trump also confirmed that the cost of the ballroom is now a whopping $300 million.
As reported by Reuters, the most recent change to the East Wing came about in 1942 when former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt renovated it. However, Trump's changes are the most significant in decades.
The latest revelation has sparked outrage online, with people slamming the President for his U-turn.
One Twitter user wrote: "He was literally on camera saying no demolition would take place. He lied. Again."
While a second added: "Disgusting. It's a National Historic Landmark. Any kind of renovation requires years of studies, permits, and approvals, and he just ignored that because there's no one to hold him accountable. And quite the metaphor for what he's doing to the country."
And a third penned: "It's not just media outcry. A good portion of the American people are pretty angry about it. Plus - Trump lied. Said he would not touch the East Wing. Now it's gone."
A fourth wrote: "Trump's destruction of the East Wing is another example of his disregard for our country's history and the real issues Americans are facing. The East Wing, visited by thousands, annually, during White House tours, hold decades of history - across both political parties."
And a fifth furiously penned: "When Trump is gone. The first order of business is to demolish the ballroom and rebuild the east wing."
Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.