For the first time since the government shutdown ended, the expansive construction of the new White House ballroom is once again visible from the Washington Monument, with a quite different view taking shape.
ABC News took video Monday of the White House in its altered state from the Washington Monument, which was closed to the public during the 43-day government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12.
The construction of the ballroom in the East Wing of the White House as seen from the top of the Washington Monument, November 17, 2025.
ABC News
New images of the White House show the former site of the East Wing, built in 1902 and renovated in 1942, completely demolished with several bulldozers and loaders clearing the last of the debris.
The East Wing became the first lady’s formal office in 1977, when Rosalynn Carter was the first to establish her office there.
Construction also removed six historic trees and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden to make way for a new ballroom.
A general view of the entrance to the East Wing of the White House in Washington in 1906.
Library of Congress via Reuters
In place of the East Wing, President Donald Trump approved plans to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at an estimated cost of $300 million, which the White House says will be funded through private donations.
In October, a White House official confirmed to ABC News that $350 million had been raised for the ballroom project and said the president “has received such positive and overwhelming support for the ballroom that it continues to receive donations.”
When asked what he plans to do with the additional $50 million, Trump told reporters on Oct. 24 that it could possibly be used to help build a large triumphal arch, modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Most Americans oppose demolishing the East Wing to make way for Trump’s ballroom, according to a ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos Poll conducted using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
A 56% majority of Americans oppose construction of the ballroom, with 45% “strongly” opposed, according to the October poll.
Only 28% of Americans support it, and 15% strongly support tearing down the East Wing to turn it into a ballroom, according to the poll. Another 16% say they are not sure.
