'Almost like slashing a Rembrandt': Presidential historian reacts to White House demolition

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‘Almost like slashing a Rembrandt’: Presidential historian reacts to White House demolition

Jimmy Alexander | [e-mail]
October 21, 2025, 11:21 AM


Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(AP/Evan Vucci)

Tearing down part of the White House’s East Wing was not on most people’s bingo card. But that demolition began Monday, as part of President Donald Trump’s plans to build a $250 million ballroom.

The project looks to add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom fitted with glass walls, and offer the ability to seat hundreds of guests. Construction is expected to wrap before the end of Trump’s current term.

One person stunned by the images of the backhoe tearing into the facade of the East Wing was Douglas Brinkley, the official presidential historian for the New York Historical Society.

“Maybe it’s just the dislike of change on my part, but it seemed painful, almost like slashing a Rembrandt painting,” Brinkley said. “Or defacing a Michelangelo’s sculpture.”

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Jimmy Alexander
Jimmy Alexander has been a part of the D.C. media scene as a reporter for DC News Now and a long-standing voice on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Now, Alexander brings those years spent interviewing newsmakers like President Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney and Sean Connery, to the WTOP Newsroom.
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