Contractor faces fury over White House demolition work

The Maryland contractor demolishing the White House East Wing has been forced offline amid public outrage over the project, which critics say violates historic preservation standards and earlier administration promises.

The demolition of the White House East Wing has triggered backlash after contradicting the Trump administration’s July assurances that a planned 90,000 square-foot ballroom would be built atop, not in place of, the existing structure.

President Trump stated in July the $200 million privately funded project would be “near it but not touching it,” according to CNBC. The White House has dismissed criticism as “manufactured outrage,” calling the ballroom a “necessary addition” reflecting prior presidential improvements.

The project marks the first major White House modification since 1942. Unlike typical historic building alterations, plans haven’t been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts, though the White House is legally exempt from National Historic Preservation Act requirements.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged a pause until regulatory bodies and the public can review the plans, citing federal standards requiring new additions preserve historic fabric.

ACECO, the Maryland contractor handling demolition, has faced online criticism and taken its website offline amid angry messages, according to the Baltimore Banner and Newsweek.

The ballroom is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends.