WASHINGTON —

Demolition crews are at work tearing down part of the White House East Wing to make way for what President Donald Trump is calling a "grand ballroom."

The president says the East Wing will be modernized as part of the ballroom construction and will "pay total respect to the existing building."

In a post on social media, Trump wrote, "I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom....for more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ball

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