Donald Trump has ordered the demolition of parts of the East Wing to make way for his new $250 million ballroom.

Photos on Monday showed a backhoe ripping into the once-pristine structure that has formed part of the White House complex for more than a century.

Banging and crashing was heard throughout the area as clusters of staffers and journalists watched the construction work begin.

Asked about the demolition job, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied that ‘the necessary construction will take place’ and the East Wing will be ‘modernized.’

Trump announced in July plans to build a grand, 25,000 square feet ballroom to accommodate state dinners and other formal events.

Renderings show a lavish design — crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and gold inlays — reflecting the opulent aesthetic of the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

The new ballroom is privately funded, with Trump chipping in himself. Donors include Silicon Valley titans, Apple and Google, defense behemoth Lockheed Martin, and telecom provider, T-Mobile.

The East Wing in its original form was constructed in 1902 as part of Theodore Roosevelt’s renovations, initially as a small structure that served as the public entrance.

Photos on Monday showed a backhoe ripping into the once-pristine structure that has formed part of the White House complex for more than a century

It has since been expanded and modified, notably with the addition of a second story in 1942 to provide offices for the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her staff. 

Trump last week held a glitzy White House dinner with billionaires and company executives who are bankrolling the ballroom.  

Among the guests were oil baron Harold Hamm, Blackstone chief executive Steve Schwarzman, and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

‘We’re here to celebrate you, because you have given a tremendous amount of money to see a ballroom built,’ he told the cheering crowd.

‘In between China, Russia, everything else that we deal with, it’s going to be a great ballroom… It is starting right behind us.’

Trump opened the gold curtains behind him to unveil the construction site.

‘It will be demolished,’ he said. ‘Everything out there is coming down and it will be replaced by the most beautiful ballroom.’

The ballroom is expected to have a capacity of 999 people and will be fitted with bulletproof glass.

‘There won’t be anything like it,’ he said. ‘Because of you, they’re going to get it. And me too. So many of you have been really, really generous.’

Trump shared an anecdote of one of the donors in the room asking him ‘sir, will $25 million be appropriate?’

‘I’ll take it. It doesn’t take too many 25s [million dollars] to get it done.’

He said the donors had been so generous that he had ‘money left over’ which could be put toward the arch he wants to build opposite Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump said in past years, administrations hosting important international politicians and figures would erect a tent on the lawn to celebrate, but now they would have a dedicated space to host functions.

Since taking office, Trump has redecorated the Rose Garden, Oval Office and Palm Room.