Construction work at the White House for President Trump's $300 million ballroom is well underway — and all that's left of the site where the 123-year-old East Wing once stood is rubble, photos taken this week show.
The big picture: Trump said on Truth Social over the weekend that the ballroom would be "double the size" than was originally planned and the "column SPAN has been substantially increased for purposes of viewing," but the project was "under budget and ahead of schedule."
Trump ordered the East Wing and Jacqueline Kennedy Garden leveled to make way for the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom. He didn't immediately disclose the new timeframe for the project's completion. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A view of the construction site from the observation level of the Washington Monument. Trump has faced criticism over the construction that was initially projected to cost $200 million, which will be paid for with private donations. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Construction work at the old East Wing site on Dec. 8. In his Saturday post, Trump criticized CNN's Kaitlan Collins for asking about the escalating price tag. "It's just much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned," he wrote. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Construction workers take down material where the East Wing used to connect to the White House on Dec. 1. Trump emphasized that "there are no taxpayer dollars involved" in the project. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
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