Demolition on parts of the White House’s East Wing has begun in order to build Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
On Monday, builders were seen tearing down the facade of the building.
The US President, who insists the $250million (£186m) ballroom will be paid for by himself and donors, said in July it would not interfere with the existing landmark.
The East Wing was built at the beginning of the last century and was last modified in 1942.
Mr Trump said in July: “It will be beautiful. It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be – it will 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 favourite.”
Mr Trump confirmed on Monday that ground had been broken on the project, despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects.
Photos of the demolition work showed construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground.
He added that future parties would start with cocktails in the East Room, before they are taken into the “finest” ballroom in the country.
It will also boast views of the Washington Monument with room for 999 people, he added. Other estimates have claimed it will house some 600 people.
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On his social media platform, Truth Social, he said: “Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernised as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!”
Trump has also claimed on social media that the project would be completed “with zero cost to the American Taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly”.
Earlier this year, Trump said they have “wanted a ballroom” in the White House for 150 years.
“There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” he said. “I’m good at building things and we’re going to build quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful, top, top of the line.”
Since being in office, Mr Trump has made a number of changes to the White House.
He has hand-picked gold ornamentation for the Oval Office and has redone the Rose Garden.
A former Republican member of Congress, Joe Walsh, called the latest plans an “utter desecration”, and said if he became president would take “a bulldozer” to the ballroom.
