A new Yahoo/YouGov poll shows that most Americans are not on board with President Trump’s plan to build a grand ballroom at the White House. According to the survey, 61% of respondents disapprove of the project, while only one in four Americans support it.
The controversy stems from Trump’s decision to demolish the East Wing to make room for his proposed ballroom — a move that has sparked widespread criticism from both political observers and preservation advocates. The East Wing, a historic part of the White House complex, previously housed First Lady Melania Trump’s office, as well as the White House social secretary, calligraphy department, private theater, and even the presidential emergency bunker.
Demolition crews were first spotted at the site earlier in the week, and by Friday, the East Wing had been completely torn down, marking one of the most significant structural changes to the White House in decades.
Public opinion remains sharply divided along political lines. The poll found 26% support for the demolition itself, with 57% opposed and 11% uncertain about the plan’s long-term implications.
Despite the backlash, several of Trump’s allies in Congress have rallied to his defense. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) have both argued that the criticism is politically motivated rather than practical.
“Just because President Trump has an idea, the Democrat Party’s visceral reaction is just to say no,” Scalise told reporters at a press briefing last week.
Supporters describe the ballroom as a symbol of national prestige — a place for state dinners and historic gatherings — while opponents see it as an unnecessary vanity project that erases an important piece of White House history.
For now, the debate continues to grow louder in Washington, as the ballroom’s construction site becomes a new focal point in the broader conversation about tradition, power, and presidential legacy.