"It was confirmed on Friday that the East Wing of the White House has now been completely destroyed, days after construction started on the planned $300m (225m) ballroom that Donald Trump is adding to the historic building. The demolition marked a reversal of Trump's earlier promise in July that none of the White House's existing infrastructure would be torn down during construction of the ballroom."
"The East Wing was first known as the East Terrace and was built during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Franklin Roosevelt created the East Wing in its current form in 1942 to add working space during the war, but also to conceal an underground bunker that had been constructed for the president and staff. Over time it became the home base for the first lady and her staff. It was also the home of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden."
"In the original plan for the ballroom, it would have remained untouched and, in Trump's telling, become a space where guests would mingle, sip cocktails and eat hors d'oeuvres until they were called into the ballroom for dinner. However, days after ground was broken on the new project, the White House confirmed the entire wing would be torn down and that process appeared to be completed by Friday."
The East Wing of the White House has been completely destroyed days after construction began on a planned $300m ballroom. The demolition reversed an earlier promise that none of the White House's existing infrastructure would be torn down during the ballroom project. Images of rubble and the rapid pace of work provoked disgust among White House alumni and presidential historians. The Trump administration dismissed the criticism as manufactured outrage. The East Wing originated as the East Terrace in 1902 and was expanded in 1942 to add workspace and conceal an underground bunker. The wing later served as the first lady's office and housed the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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