Washington — The portion of the White House East Wing that is being demolished as part of President Trump’s ballroom project includes the first lady’s office and dozens of other work spaces, sources familiar with the project told CBS News.
The east wing, built in 1902 and renovated in 1942, will be rebuilt, according to sources.
A family theater, the east colonnade and a gift shop area in what is called Booksellers Hall have not yet been disturbed, but they could be as the structure is strengthened.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Among the demolished quarters are first lady Melania Trump’s office and a second-floor space overlooking the South Lawn, as well as offices used by her small staff.
Plans to build the new ballroom will be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission “at the appropriate time and with the expectation of doing so soon,” a White House official told CBS News on Wednesday.
Images of the demolition surfaced Monday and crews clawed further into the building Tuesday.
The demolition will also affect the White House Visitors Office, which manages public tours and events; workspaces for the Office of Legislative Affairs; and offices for the White House Military Office, which organizes transportation, catering, medical and hospitality functions of the White House.
The East Wing also housed a calligrapher’s office, a conference room, a lobby where White House guests often entered for official receptions and state dinners, and a warren of compact rooms and storage spaces.
These offices are empty and are being razed. Staff members packed up and moved, some settling into the residence hall or the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located on the west side of campus.
PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images 
The impact of the ballroom project on the White House has been greater than President Trump initially suggested in July. “It won’t interfere with the current building,” he said, referring to the historic residence built in the late 1700s. “It won’t. It will be nearby, but not touching it — and will be totally respectful of the existing building.”
After the demolition of the East Wing surprised many members of the public on Monday, Mr. Trump described it as a modernization project.
“Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being completely modernized as part of this process, and will look better than ever when it is completed,” he said on Truth Social.
The president told U.S. senators at a luncheon in the Rose Garden on Tuesday: “You’re probably hearing the beautiful sound of construction out back.”
“Oh, it’s music to my ears, I like that sound. Other people don’t like it. I love it… I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. In this case, it reminds me of lack of money, because I’m paying for it.”
Private donors fully financed the ballroomthe cost of which is currently estimated at $250 million, the president said. It is expected to be completed before Mr. Trump’s term ends.
The White House did not say how much the president was contributing to the construction of the ballroom. But the president told reporters Tuesday that he might contribute part of his $400,000 presidential salary to the project.
