US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to demolish part of the White House East Wing to build a new ballroom, describing the ongoing construction as “music to my ears” despite intensifying criticism from political opponents and preservation groups.
Speaking to Republican senators at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the sounds of construction behind the building were a reminder of success and progress. “You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction in the back. When I hear that sound, it reminds me of money,” the president said.
The $250 million project aims to add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the historic building. The new venue, according to Trump aides, will host state dinners, official ceremonies, and exclusive events for visiting dignitaries.
The announcement has sparked widespread controversy since construction began Monday. Critics argue the expansion will damage the historic architecture and alter the White House’s iconic design.
Among those voicing concern is Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 presidential rival, who accused him of “destroying the people’s house” in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “The White House is not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,” Clinton wrote.
Her comments reflect growing outrage among Democrats who have accused Trump of prioritizing vanity projects over governance and transparency.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, issued a formal letter to White House officials expressing “deep concern” over the construction.
The letter warned that the scale of the new ballroom would “overwhelm the White House itself” and risk “permanently disrupting the balanced classical design of the East and West Wings.”
The trust has urged the president to halt demolition work and launch a public review of the project, noting that the White House is a designated national historic landmark.
A separate group, the Society of Architectural Historians, also released a statement voicing “great concerns” about the plan and called for transparency in the approval process.
White House officials responded sharply to the criticism, releasing a statement that accused detractors of “clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition.”
The statement described the project as “a bold and necessary addition” that would “enhance the elegance and functionality” of the nation’s most recognizable building.
Officials also defended the financing of the project, insisting that it is privately funded and will not cost US taxpayers any money.
Trump, a former real estate developer, has long been known for his fascination with grand architectural projects. Supporters argue that the ballroom will modernize the White House’s capacity for hosting major global events.
Critics, however, say the move reflects Trump’s business-driven mindset rather than a respect for historical preservation.
Democratic lawmakers have called for the National Capital Planning Commission to review the project, though White House officials claim no formal approval is required.
The commission, which oversees renovations to federal buildings in Washington, is chaired by a Trump aide.
Former commission chair L. Preston Bryant Jr. told The Daily National News that past administrations always engaged with the agency before making significant changes to the White House.
“Every administration I’ve worked with has held early consultations with the commission,” Bryant said. “It’s about transparency and accountability when you’re dealing with a site of national importance.”
The White House, completed in the late 1700s, has undergone several major renovations throughout its history. President Harry Truman famously rebuilt the entire interior in 1948 when the structure was at risk of collapse.
Subsequent presidents have added amenities such as a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a private theater, though Trump’s ballroom project is one of the largest exterior alterations in decades.
Architectural historians say the East Wing expansion could permanently change the building’s symmetry and aesthetic character, a concern echoed by several former preservation officials.
Despite mounting criticism, Trump appears unmoved. During Tuesday’s meeting, he told lawmakers that the construction symbolized “American greatness” and that he looked forward to hosting future global summits in the new ballroom.
The administration has not announced a completion date for the project, though early estimates suggest the renovation will take at least two years.
As work continues, preservationists are preparing potential legal challenges, arguing that the project violates federal guidelines protecting national historic landmarks.
