The demolition of the White House East Wing is nearly complete as President Donald Trump pushes ahead with plans to build a massive ballroom, an administration official told NBC News Thursday.
Construction crews are now turning their attention to debris removal, the official said. Photos showed the building largely reduced to rubble.
Trump said Wednesday that the 90,000 square foot ballroom will cost $300 million, higher than the original estimated price tag of $200 million.
The White House has dismissed public anger over the demolition as " manufactured outrage ." The Treasury Department, which has a clear view of the demolition, banned its staff from sharing photos.
Trump promised in July that the ballroom would not impact the East Wing.
"It'll be near it but not touching it, an