It's the first major structural change to the mansion since extensive renovations under President Truman in 1948.

The White House East Wing was largely torn down in Trump’s ballroom construction. Today: Demolition that began yesterday at the White House continued, leaving the East Wing now almost completely demolished. Context: President Donald Trump had pledged the construction of his $250 million ballroom addition “won’t interfere with the current building.”

The Trump administration has started tearing down part of the White House's east wing to build Donald Trump's $250 million US ballroom, despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects.

The 20-day U.S. federal government shutdown is likely to end this week, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday.