Amid a potential U.S. government shutdown, construction activities continue at the White House East Wing as President Trump has authorized the demolition of the historic structure to build a privately-funded 80,000-square-foot banquet hall. The East Wing, constructed in 1942 and traditionally housing the First Lady’s Office, White House Military Office, and Social Secretary, has been indefinitely closed to public tours since last month due to the construction project. Initially proposed in August as a venue accommodating 650 guests, the banquet hall has since expanded to nearly 1,000 capacity, with costs escalating from $200 million to approximately $300 million. President Trump confirmed in an Oval Office statement on October 22 that complete demolition of the East Wing was necessary after architectural consultations indicated partial removal would compromise the new facility’s structural integrity. The $300 million project is entirely privately funded, with Trump personally contributing alongside other donors. This financial capacity aligns with recent Financial Times reporting indicating the Trump family’s cryptocurrency ventures have generated over $1 billion in pre-tax profits during the past year, with potential net asset growth reaching tens of billions when accounting for unrealized gains. Major technology corporations including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft appear on the donor list released October 23, with Google’s YouTube committing over $20 million. Defense and telecommunications giants such as Lockheed Martin, Comcast, T-Mobile, and Palantir are also contributors. Notably, cryptocurrency industry leaders have joined the donor roster, featuring Ripple, Tether America, Coinbase, and the Winklevoss brothers. These companies represent significant players in the digital asset sector, with Ripple having engaged in prolonged regulatory battles with the SEC and Coinbase actively pursuing regulatory compliance through lobbying efforts. Richard Painter, former White House ethics counsel during the George W. Bush administration, criticized the project as “a moral nightmare,” expressing concerns about corporate influence through White House access. The East Wing demolition and subsequent banquet hall construction mark a significant moment where cryptocurrency capital gains formal recognition within Washington’s established power structures, despite the industry’s historical emphasis on decentralization.