Washington: The White House’s historic East Wing is being almost entirely demolished to make way for President Donald Trump’s new $300 million-plus ballroom, despite Trump originally pledging the project would not involve destroying the existing building.

Bulldozers began the demolition job on Monday, while just steps away, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was meeting Trump in the West Wing on the opposite side of the complex. The East Wing traditionally houses the first lady’s offices and the White House social office, among other rooms.

Demolition of a section of the East Wing of the White House. Credit: Bloomberg

The rapid, unforetold knock-down of the East Wing has shocked historians, especially after Trump said the project “won’t interfere with the current building” when he ann

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