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Demolition of East Wing draws criticism

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Trump pledges millions, donors include tech giants and

Winklevoss brothers

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White House claims transparency amid concerns over review

process

By Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The White House is

looking for more donors to help fund President Donald Trump's

$300 million ballroom.

The president's team has released a list of companies and

wealthy individuals who have pledged to contribute to the

project's cost, but it has not said how much each is giving or

specified how much Trump himself intends to pony up.

The project had received nearly $200 million in pledged

contributions as of last week, according to a White House

official.

The president said on Thursday he intended to give millions

of dollars. "I'll donate whatever's needed," he said.

Corporations including Amazon ( AMZN ), Apple ( AAPL ), Meta

Platforms ( META ), Microsoft ( MSFT ), Alphabet's

Google, as well as individuals such as Cameron and Tyler

Winklevoss, have agreed to help pay for the ballroom, according

to the White House.

"Fundraising has not stopped," the White House official told

Reuters.

Last week, Trump addressed roughly three dozen major donors

and corporate leaders at a dinner in the East Room of the White

House to highlight progress on the project.

"We have a lot of legends in the room tonight, and that's

why we're here to celebrate you, because you gave," Trump told

them.

The cost for the 90,000-square-foot addition has grown from

Trump's initial $200 million estimate to $300 million this week,

as demolition workers take down the entire East Wing, which held

offices for the first lady and other staff. The demolition has

prompted outrage from Democrats and others who were shocked at

seeing part of the historic building turned to rubble.

The Department of the Interior was taking the lead on what

to do with the rubble, the official said, adding he was not

aware of any plans to sell pieces of demolished walls as

souvenirs.

The official said demolition work could be completed in the

coming days. "The goal is as soon as possible," he said.

The White House on Thursday said it had been transparent

about the project despite concern expressed by critics that it

did not go through a proper review process before tearing down

the East Wing. Trump, when he announced the project in July,

said it would not interfere with the existing structure.

"The president has been incredibly transparent," White House

spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told a briefing. "With any

construction project there are changes over time as you assess

what the project is going to look like, and we'll continue to

keep you apprised of all of those changes, but just trust the

process."