
Demolition work has begun on part of the White House's East Wing to make way for a new £186 million (about US$125 million) ballroom backed by Donald Trump.
The project has triggered a dispute after officials said work appeared to start before full regulatory approval, raising concern among preservationists about the impact on one of America's most historic buildings. The White House insists the privately funded scheme will not cost taxpayers, but critics warn that bypassing oversight risks damaging the site's heritage.