President Donald Trump conceded on Wednesday, as the clatter of bulldozers and cranes reverberated across the White House grounds, that the entire East Wing renovation was being demolished to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. It is a vast addition to the more modest renovation that he initially proposed and one of the most significant White House changes in recent history.

Mr. Trump was unmoved by the news on Wednesday, characterising the East Wing as less important. “It was never thought of as being much,” he said, referring to the part of the White House that is home to the First Lady’s office and space for ceremonial events. “It was a very small building.”

Senior Trump administration officials have said the demolition will be completed by the weekend. The president has been

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