Bill Maher has voiced his concerns over the recent renovations at the White House, suggesting that Donald Trump’s decision to demolish the East Wing signifies his intention to remain in power. On his latest episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher discussed the matter with guests Michael Steele, a former RNC Chairman, and Kate Bedingfield, the ex-Communications Director for Biden, as they examined the ongoing construction in Washington, D.C.

Maher emphasized the symbolic nature of the construction, remarking, “The symbolism is he’s not leaving. Who puts in a giant ballroom if you’re leaving?” This sentiment was echoed as the panel considered the implications of the new developments.

The East Wing, which historically served as the entrance for guests attending elegant receptions and state events, was dismantled earlier this week. The space is being cleared to accommodate a vast new 90,000-square-foot ballroom commissioned by the president.

Photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail captured the dramatic scene of a Backhoe truck tearing through the iconic wing, a section of the White House complex that has been a fixture for over a century.

In addressing the project’s funding, Trump has asserted that the almost $300 million price tag for the ballroom will be covered by his personal funds, contributions from major tech companies, and what he described as “many generous patriots.”

Trump claimed the nearly $300 million ballroom will be paid for out of private his own pocket, those of several major tech companies and what he called ‘many generous patriots’.

Among the donors are Silicon Valley giants Apple and Google, defense powerhouse Lockheed Martin and telecom provider T-Mobile. 

On Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the late-night host declared that Donald Trump ’s tearing down of the White House ’s East Wing is proof that ‘he’s not leaving’ 

The East Wing, where guests and tourists once entered for receptions and events, was demolished on Monday to make room for the Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom

On Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele and ex-Biden Communications Director Kate Bedingfield weighed in on the renovations 

During the panel, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele said the sight of heavy machinery ripping chunks out of the White House walls is a fitting metaphor for Trump’s presidency.

‘We watched this week the destruction of a symbol of government,’ he said. ‘Of our democracy, of our pluralistic society.’ 

But even as Maher blasted the renovations and admitted being ‘bothered’ by its symbolism, he brushed off the White House itself as ‘just a building’.

The host’s ‘dismissive’ remark sparked backlash from Steele, who countered that the structure’s significance runs far deeper than just bricks and mortar.

‘Okay Bill, it’s just a building maybe to you, but to a lot of Americans it’s not,’ Steele argued.

‘I’m going to tell you as a young kid growing up in DC, when my Daddy took me by “that building,” it meant something to me as a 10-year-old,’ he added.

‘It meant something to me to grow up in a town where everybody in this country came and protested and cried and screamed and laughed. And I was a part of that. So that building, to me, was my childhood.’

The political analyst slammed Trump for destroying the East Wing ‘without accountability,’ a sentiment Maher ultimately agreed with while also suggesting it came as no surprise.

Steele said the sight of heavy machinery ripping chunks out of the White House walls is a fitting metaphor for Trump’s presidency

Even as Maher blasted the renovations and admitted being ‘bothered’ by its symbolism, he brushed off the White House itself as ‘just a building’ 

Steele slammed the president for demolishing the East Wing ‘without accountability,’ a sentiment Maher agreed with (Pictured: White House in 1952)

‘You know, he should have gotten the permits, but that’s how he does things. I agree, but it is just a building, first of all,’ Maher responded.

Maher went on to remind his panel that Trump isn’t the first president to reshape the White House, with renovations happening since its creation in 1792. 

‘That part of the building wasn’t always there. Presidents do change the buildings,’ Maher said.

‘Nixon put in a bowling alley. Obama made the tennis court a basketball court,’ he added. ‘I can’t get this mad about everything, Mike. I just can’t.’

Priya Jain, chair of the Society of Architectural Historians’ Heritage Conservation Committee, warned that this renovation is the biggest the White House has seen since the 1940s, as reported by NPR.

Bedingfield, Biden’s former communications director, joined the debate and claimed that Trump’s renovations stand apart from years past because of his ‘reckless’ and ‘scary’ history. 

‘If this was the only impulsive, reckless, you know driven by his own desire for self-aggrandizement, if this was only the only thing he had done on that front, then I would give you it’s just a building,’ Bedingfield argued.

‘But it’s not,’ she added. ‘It’s part of a manner of governing that is tearing at some of the foundations, the institutional foundations in this country. And that’s scary.’ 

Bedingfield, Biden’s former communications director, claimed that Trump’s renovations stand apart from years past because of his ‘reckless’ and ‘scary’ history

Maher reminded his panel that Trump isn’t the first president to reshape the White House, with renovations happening since its creation in 1792 (Pictured: White House swimming pool 1946)

During Friday’s episode, Maher admitted that, in any case, Trump is ‘drunk with power’

Despite the back-and-forth during the episode, Maher admitted that, in any case, Trump is ‘drunk with power’.

‘What could President Trump not do?’ Maher asked.

The East Wing was originally built in 1902 during President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration as a modest structure serving as the public entrance. 

In July, Trump unveiled plans for his grand ballroom, with renderings showcasing crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and gold inlays – mirroring the opulent style of his Mar-a-Lago resort. 

The president’s makeover has drawn strong criticism, with just 45 percent of respondents – including many Republicans – approving the lavish makeover. 

Of the Republicans surveyed, 28 percent disapprove and 27 percent are uncertain about the controversial construction underway in Washington. 

According to the recent YouGov America survey, only 33 percent of US adults support the ballroom project. Just 24 percent back the East Wing demolition. 

However, the survey did find that a healthy majority of Republicans – 63 percent to be exact – favor the broader renovation project. 

Trump unveiled plans for a ballroom in July, with renderings showcasing crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and gold inlays 

Exclusive photos taken by Daily Mail showed a Backhoe truck clawing through the once-pristine wing 

Trump claimed the nearly $300 million ballroom will be paid for out his own pockets and a mix of donors

On Tuesday, Hillary Clinton expressed strong criticism of what Trump calls a ‘big, beautiful ballroom’ in a post on X. 

‘It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it,’ the former secretary of state, first lady and presidential candidate wrote.  

Since taking office, Trump has redecorated the Rose Garden, Oval Office and is in the process of renovating the Palm Room.