Renovations at the White House Aren’t Unusual. But Trump’s Makeover Is. NYT | Top Stories By: Jesse McKinley 24 October 2025 at 17:00 Presidents have always tailored the White House to their needs, but with the demolition of the East Wing, a $300 million ballroom and other changes, President Trump isn’t wasting any time making it into his own project. © Doug Mills/The New York TimesPresident Trump holding photos of the ballroom he’s building at the White House.