Oct 2025 – President Trump orders the demolition of the historic White House East Wing, directing crews to raze the 123‑year‑old structure to clear space for a new ballroom (​[6]​,​[14]​).

Dec 8, 2025 – Contractors resume tearing down the East Wing despite objections, proceeding with demolition while lawsuits loom (​[14]​).

Dec 12, 2025 – The National Trust for Historic Preservation files a federal lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the East Wing demolition and the $300‑$400 million ballroom project, alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and NEPA (​[9]​,​[15]​,​[20]​).

Dec 15, 2025 – The administration submits a 36‑page court brief arguing the project is required for “safety and security requirements,” citing a Secret Service deputy’s statement and offering to share classified details privately (​[14]​,​[18]​).

Dec 16, 2025 – U.S. District Judge Richard Leon refuses an emergency injunction, allowing underground work to continue while warning that any permanent plumbing or gas‑line decisions could lock in the ballroom’s scope (​[8]​).

Dec 16, 2025 – Judge Leon later indicates he is inclined to deny the Trust’s request for a restraining order, noting the plaintiffs have not shown irreparable harm (​[19]​).

Dec 17, 2025 – A court order directs the White House to submit the ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) by year‑end for required public review (​[13]​).

Jan 1, 2026 – The White House unveils an eight‑week “approval sprint” to move the East Wing ballroom through the NCPC and CFA, aiming to secure all clearances before any above‑ground construction begins (​[13]​).

Jan 8, 2026 – At an NCPC briefing, the White House argues that preserving the East Wing is “not feasible” due to structural decay, cites a $400 million cost estimate, and predicts the commission will approve the project at its Feb 5 meeting (​[17]​).

Jan 8, 2026 – Commission of Fine Arts Secretary Thomas Luebke reports receiving more than 2,000 public comments, “over 99 %” of which oppose the ballroom, reflecting broad public resistance (​[1]​).

Jan 9, 2026 – White House officials tell the planning commission that demolishing the East Wing is cheaper than renovating, project cost has risen to $400 million, and the new 22,000 sq ft ballroom will seat 1,000 guests (​[2]​).

Jan 18, 2026 – Reporters note Trump’s “rapid East Wing demolition and broad DC makeover,” including plans for a “Paris‑style arch” to celebrate the nation’s birth and a “nuclear bunker” beneath the ballroom (​[6]​).

Jan 22, 2026 – Judge Leon questions whether Congress ever authorized a $400 million ballroom, calling the White House’s reliance on a maintenance‑spending law “misplaced” and emphasizing that private donations do not exempt the project from congressional approval (​[5]​).

Feb 2, 2026 – At a CFA meeting composed entirely of Trump appointees, officials label the design “immense” but stress it is “important to the president” and “important to the nation,” noting the need to replace tent‑based state events (​[16]​).

Feb 3, 2026 – President Trump posts a new rendering on Truth Social, declaring the ballroom will be “the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world” and will solve the “very small, dilapidated” East Wing problem (​[12]​).

Feb 5, 2026 – The NCPC schedules a formal review of the ballroom proposal for its March 5 meeting, where commissioners will vote after a public‑comment period (​[17]​).

Feb 19, 2026 – The Commission of Fine Arts, now all Trump appointees, fast‑tracks and gives final approval to the 90,000‑sq‑ft ballroom design, clearing the way for construction (​[4]​,​[11]​,​[1]​).

Feb 19, 2026 – In the same session, President Trump announces a separate “triumphal arch” project to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, linking it to his broader capital‑city redesign agenda (​[1]​).

Mar 5, 2026 (planned) – The NCPC is set to vote on the ballroom plan, a decisive step before any above‑ground work can begin (​[1]​,​[4]​).

Summer 2028 (expected) – The administration projects the ballroom will be completed by summer 2028, standing about 55 feet tall and providing permanent, secure event space for state functions (​[8]​,​[7]​).