A demolition crew began tearing down the East Wing of the White House on Monday to make room for President Donald Trump’s gargantuan new ballroom, a 90,000-square-foot behemoth reported to cost $250 million.

Trump acknowledged the construction in a social media post.

“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.,” he wrote. “I am honoured to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!”

Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House on Oct. 20 before construction of a new ballroom.

The Trump administration downplayed the extent of the plans when they were first revealed in July, saying in a statement that the addition would be........

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