(AURN News) — The White House confirms the entire East Wing has been torn down to make way for President Donald Trump’s $300 million ballroom — a project the administration says won’t cost taxpayers a dime.
But what’s raising eyebrows is how it happened. Reporters pressed Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, on why no plans were submitted for review, and the White House said the law doesn’t require approval for demolitions — only for new construction. That means the president can legally level part of “the people’s house” without outside oversight.
Officials insist the ballroom is privately funded by Trump and donors, and they’ve promised to release every name and dollar amount. So far, the White House has released the list of donors’ names, but not all of the dollar amounts.
Critics are calling the massive teardown a vanity project at a time when millions are struggling with high costs and a government shutdown.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
