The front page of The New York Times reported on a photo of the White House East Wing without a date. Critics are angry about its demolition, but some people welcome this change. The White House East Wing, 1902 - 2025. A door through which generations of Americans entered the White House.

Washington — The East Wing, the entrance to the White House for millions of American visitors, the location of First Ladies' offices for nearly half a century, and the workplace of scribes who prepared thousands of invitations for state dinners at the White House, was reduced to rubble on Thursday. It had stood for 123 years.

The East Wing was built in 1902 during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, serving as an entrance for guests arriving by carriage. It was rebuilt during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s, and finally demolished on the orders of President Trump. He called it "a very small building" that hindered his planned 90,000-square-foot, $300 million ballroom.

An analysis of satellite images by The New York Times showed that the demolition included the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and the East Colonnade, which connected the East Wing to the White House, including the office of Rosalyn Carter, the wife of the president, located in the East Wing, and Melania Trump used this office less frequently.

The destruction of the White House East Wing has sparked anger among American preservationists and Democrats, and caused deep sorrow for those who worked there. "When I walked into the East Wing, I would hold my breath every day," said Laura Schwartz, director of events during the Clinton administration. "That is the loss that hurts me so much. It's not just a building. It's living history." "Compared to the West Wing, it was like a breath of fresh air," said Stephanie Grisham, press secretary and chief of staff to First Lady Melania Trump during President Trump's first term. "I hate seeing that history being torn down right before our eyes."

Jeremy Bernard, who served as social secretary for four years under President Barack Obama, recalled that the East Wing was crucial in making the first impression of the White House for guests. Because almost all invitees — including industry giants, movie stars, and political figures.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847049215219724/

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