"The Obama family was introduced to a prospective family dog at a secret greet on a Sunday. After spending about an hour with him, the family decided he was the one. Here, the dog ran alongside the President in an East Wing hallway. The dog returned to his trainer while the Obama’s embarked on their first international trip. I had to keep these photos secret until a few weeks later, when the dog was brought ‘home’ to the White House and introduced to the world as Bo." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza) First Lady Michelle Obama shows NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid James Gale, 11, historical photos from previous administrations on display in the Booksellers Area during a National Football League (NFL) taping in the East Wing of the White House, Jan. 30, 2012. At right is James' mother Lisa Gale. The taping will air during the Super Bowl, Feb. 5, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) First Lady Michelle Obama meets with Zeroniaque Smith, 18-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient from Durham, North Carolina, in the First Lady's East Wing office at the White House, Nov. 24, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) A National Park Service employee tends to a tree on a ladder in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden outside the East Wing of the White House, June 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) President Barack Obama hugs a member of the American Legion Boys Nation in the East Wing during their tour of the White House, July 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) A Valentine’s Day display is seen in the East Wing Entrance of the White House, Monday, February 13, 2023, featuring artwork from a classroom at the South Riva Ridge Child Development Center at Fort Drum, New York. (Official White House Photo by Katie Ricks) The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holidays, Sunday, December 1, 2024. (Official White House Photo by Katie Ricks) First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff talk on the phone with nurses Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in the First Lady’s East Wing Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chandler West) An ofrenda to mark Día de los Muertos stands in the East Wing of the White House, Friday, November 1, 2024. (Official White House Photo by Adline Thomas) The East Wing landing of the White House is decorated for the holidays, Sunday, December 1, 2024. (Official White House Photo by Katie Ricks) First Lady Jill Biden participates in an interview with Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski Wednesday, January 10, 2024, in the her East Wing Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott) A sukkah, constructed for the Jewish festival of Sukkot, is situated by the East Wing entrance, Monday, October 2, 2023, at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott) White Houses staff and their families decorate a sukkah in honor of the Jewish holiday Sukkot on Friday, September 29, 2023, in front of the East Wing entrance of the White House.(Official White House Photo by Katie Ricks) The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holiday season Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holiday season Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holiday season Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holiday season Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Colonnade of the White House is seen decorated for the Christmas season Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Colonnade of the White House is seen decorated for the Christmas season Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) The East Wing Colonnade of the White House is seen decorated for the Christmas season Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) First Lady Melania Trump talks with students from Digital Pioneers Academy, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in the East Wing of the White House after hosting a screening of the motion picture 'Wonder' (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) Members of the Eagles Choir of the Christian Family Center from Las Vegas, Nev., perform in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in the East Wing of the White House. (Courtesy Photo by GinaLisa Tamayo) President Donald Trump visits the gift shop in the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley) President Donald Trump visits the gift shop in the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley) President Donald Trump visits the gift shop in the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley) WASHINGTON - The East Wing, long used as the White House’s social entrance and home to the first lady’s staff, is being torn down as construction begins on President Donald Trump’s $250 million ballroom. Here’s a look at the historic wing before demolition began.
Ballroom project begins
On July 31, President Trump said the structure would remain untouched during construction of the new ballroom. "It won’t interfere with the current building," he said. "It will be near it but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of."
The White House then said demolition was necessary to modernize the East Wing as part of the larger ballroom project.
READ MORE: White House East Wing demolition expected to be complete by weekend
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The East Wing of the White House is expected to be fully demolished by this weekend, FOX 5 has learned, as President Trump continues his plan to build a new ballroom on the property.
East Wing history
Presidents have expanded the White House since its construction began in 1792. Thomas Jefferson added the east and west colonnades.
Andrew Jackson added the North Portico mirroring the South Portico built by James Monroe after the original mansion was rebuilt following its destruction in the War of 1812.
A Valentine’s Day display is seen in the East Wing Entrance of the White House, Monday, February 13, 2023, featuring artwork from a classroom at the South Riva Ridge Child Development Center at Fort Drum, New York. (Official White House Photo by Kati …
Theodore Roosevelt built the West Wing to give the president and senior staff a dedicated workspace. Years later, Franklin D. Roosevelt added the East Wing, which gradually became the headquarters for the first lady.
One of the most significant White House renovations took place under President Harry Truman, who ordered a full interior gutting after the mansion was deemed structurally unsafe. The overhaul lasted from 1948 to 1952 and included Truman’s addition of a second-floor balcony on the South Portico.
Other notable changes include the creation of the Rose Garden under President John F. Kennedy and President Richard Nixon’s conversion of FDR’s indoor therapy pool into a press workspace to accommodate the expanding White House media corps.
The East Wing Entrance of the White House is decorated for the holiday season Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.