White House East Wing demolished as Trump proceeds with ballroom construction

Construction workers, bottom right, atop the US Treasury, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The East Wing of the White House has been demolished as Donald Trump moves forward with construction of a ballroom, photos showed.

The two-storey structure of drawing rooms and offices, including workspace for first ladies and their staff, has been turned into rubble as part of the Republican president’s plan to build what he said is now a $300m ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House.