President Trump snapped at a reporter on Wednesday after being pressed on why part of the East Wing is being torn down, despite his earlier promise that White House renovations would not touch the historic structure.
Earlier this year, Trump announced plans for a multi-million-dollar White House ballroom. At the time, he claimed it would be built near the existing building and would not change its appearance. That assurance did not hold up this week when photos surfaced online showing a crane ripping into the East Wing.
So when a reporter asked, “Your response to people who say you haven’t been transparent enough about demolishing the East Wing?” the president did not take it well.
“I haven’t been transparent? Really? I showed [a picture of the future ballroom] to everybody that would listen,” Trump shot back. “Third rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look. You’re a third rate reporter. Always have been.”
Q: Your response to people who say you haven’t been transparent enough about demolishing the East Wing?
TRUMP: I haven’t been transparent? Really? I showed this to everybody that would listen. Third rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look. You’re a third rate… pic.twitter.com/YF6lIVkf0A
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 22, 2025
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Trump had assured the public that his planned ballroom would leave the White House untouched. But on Monday, heavy machinery moved in and began tearing through the East Wing anyway. The area has long served as the workplace of the First Lady and her staff, making the sudden demolition even more jarring.
Videos from the scene show the normally pristine wing ripped open, with broken windows, exposed walls and chunks of the building scattered across the lawn.
a live look at the demolition of the White House’s East Wing for Trump’s ballroom pic.twitter.com/ecRTvuKzII
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 22, 2025
The president did not always sound so bold about the plan. Back in July, he struck a much softer tone, promising the ballroom would not disturb the White House at all. “It’ll be near it but not touching it — and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it,” he said at the time.
The East Wing, first built in 1902, has seen plenty of upgrades over the years, including a second floor added in 1942. But a president ordering a physical teardown of a major section of the wing is something modern history has never seen.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is still trying to calm the backlash. In July she insisted, “Nothing will be torn down,” and she now says the staff will only be “temporarily” relocated during construction.
Featured image via X screengrab
