Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has come forward to support President Trump’s controversial decision to demolish the White House East Wing entirely. Speaking from Malaysia during a diplomatic summit, Bessent emphasized the president’s expertise in construction, stating, “I think this was a judgement call on the president. The president is a master builder.” He acknowledged that concerns about potential health hazards, such as the presence of asbestos or mold, likely influenced the decision.
This demolition follows Trump’s earlier assurances to the public that only minimal damage would occur during the construction of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which is estimated to cost around $300 million and is set to be named after Trump. He had claimed in July that the new structure would “not interfere with the current building,” would be “near but not touching it,” and would “pay total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
However, just days after the commencement of construction, the East Wing has been completely leveled, triggering a wave of criticism. Skeptics point out that despite Bessent’s comments about possible asbestos risks connected to the building’s original construction in 1942, there have been no visible safety measures in place at the demolition site. Critics note that asbestos, which is known to pose serious health risks, was commonly used in materials from that era.
Concerns about safety regulations have also surfaced, as critics question the lack of proper permits and adherence to environmental laws during the demolition. Veteran contractor Sarah Boardman, who claims extensive experience in the field, expressed her alarm, stating she would be “fined out of existence” for overseeing a demolition process like that of the East Wing. She raised concerns for the safety of construction workers on-site, indicating that many do not seem to be wearing adequate protective gear. “I worry about the construction workers,” she stated in an email, highlighting the potential risks associated with the hasty demolition timeline.
As backlash grows, the White House has yet to provide further commentary on the situation, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the safety protocols and the justification for completely leveling a historic structure.
