Trump tears down East Wing for $300M ballroom ahead of high-stakes China meeting
President Donald Trump kicked off the week meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and closed out the week jetsetting to Asia. And at home, the White House launched constructing...
By Fox News Politics · Fox News Politics
President Donald Trump kicked off the week meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and closed out the week jetsetting to Asia. And at home, the White House launched constructing its new ballroom — much to the ire of many Democrats. Trump said construction started Monday and that the project would be funded privately. The project is estimated to cost $300 million, up from the $200 million estimate first provided in July when the project was unveiled. "For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!" Trump said in a social media post. "The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!" US TO EXPEDITE NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBS TO AUSTRALIA THAT WILL SIT NEAR CHINA’S DOORSTEP Still, the project has faced criticism as the White House's historic East Wing was completely demolished. The wing has served as the official entrance to the White House and is designated as space for the first lady. On Monday, Trump signaled he wants to expedite outfitting Australia with nuclear submarines under the trilateral agreement between the U.S., Australia and the U.K. that seeks to enhance Australia’s submarine force to deter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement, known as AUKUS, stipulates the U.S. will sell up to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia that are scheduled for delivery as soon as 2032. The deal also outlines that Australia and the U.K. will work to build additional attack submarines for Australia's fleet. However, Trump told reporters that he is looking at equipping Australia with the submarines soon, when asked if he was interested in speeding up the process. TR…