From Jefferson to Trump: Why this renovation may be different

You spoke and we listened

Every week we pull your best comments and questions from our YouTube community

And this week, one topic towered above the rest. This is Straight From You, where your curiosity drives the conversation

We break down fact from fiction, minus the spin. This week, the one topic that stood out above the rest, the demolition at the White House

This viewer asked, Many presidents have renovated the White House. Why is that a bad thing

A lot of you have strong feelings about this, so let's dig in. First, on the plans. No comprehensive plans have been made public

Construction is already underway without a formal sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission

The commission's Trump-appointed chair says its authority applies to rebuilding, not demolition

That's according to PBS and the AP. Renderings released by the White House show a ballroom inspired by Mar-a-Lago

but President Trump insists it will pay total respect to the existing structure

Until plans are filed, no one really knows how connected or how intrusive the addition will be

Now, why the backlash? History shows renovations have rarely been controversy-free. The White House Historical Association notes Thomas Jefferson East and West colonnades drew criticism for aristocratic optics Andrew Jackson North Portico triggered cost complaints during an economic downturn

The price tag, about $850,000. Teddy Roosevelt's 1902 overhaul that created the West Wing upset some lawmakers over the expense and the loss of conservatories

Franklin D. Roosevelt added the East Wing and an indoor pool amid partisan pushback

And Harry Truman's 1948 to 1952 renovation, rebuilding the interior walls behind the original walls, was fiercely debated at the time

But this current project stands out for its scale, speed, secrecy and funding

The new ballroom is 90,000 square feet, big enough for nearly 1,000 guests

A former chief historian for the White House Historical Association told The Hill there's never been anything like that before

ABC News adds that this is the first major construction on the grounds in nearly 80 years

On money, the White House says private donors will foot the bill, not taxpayers

Estimates are now up to $300 million. One report says $22 million of that comes from a YouTube settlement tied to a Trump lawsuit

Late yesterday, the White House released a full list of donors, including Amazon, Apple, Coinbase, Comcast, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and T-Mobile