Was there any asbestos remediation before the East Wing was bulldozed?

[SARose]

Things that make you go hmmm

Asbestos, Asbestos, Asbestos

This story will be short, as it doesn’t need explaining.

Every person needs to CALL their Reps today to ask “ What is being done about asbestos being spread throughout the entire White House compound and local area? Thousands are at risk. Any previous asbestos abatement didn’t address asbestos in the cement blocks used to build the walls, which used it alot.

Get that project shut down because of it. Possible questions to point out

1. Who is responsible for signing off on asbestos rules and allowing this demolition?”

2. The World Trade Center, built in the 60’s was loaded with the stuff and taxpayers are still paying for First Responders.

3. Who will be sued when the Mesothelioma lawsuits start, and who will have to pay?

4. The site needs to be tested and shut down ASAP until it is proven there is none.

5. Reporters need to be asking DC Caroline why she isn’t wearing a mask with all that asbestos floating around. Just look at the picture above. Cement was loaded with it in 1942, when that wing was built.

6. Find out what landfill it is going to and test it.

Phone, phone, phone. Point this out to the news media to ask the questions. Dem leaders should be asking also. Get the press asking “ Is asbestos in those cement blocks? Are visitors removing their shoes ( and clothes) before entering for meetings? ” Get the focus on his pet project possibly being a toxic asbestos waste site. Change the subject of the build. He will explode ( to quote Bill Maher from a decade ago about Rush Limbaugh) “ like a sack of meat thrown out of a helicopter” Ruin his big beautiful ballrom with chatter of asbestos contamination in the news. Make him defend it.

Snip

More

[Greg_In_SF]

1. How do we know

there was asbestos present?

[Irish_Dem]

6. We don't but high probability given time period East Wing was built?

[Greg_In_SF]

13. Well, then it would be

pretty silly to call our Reps and ask what is being done about the asbestos....with no evidence that any asbestos is even present at the site.

[Irish_Dem]

14. It is not silly to be concerned. And to make some calls.

High probably that the construction zone is contaminated and dangerous.

[Greg_In_SF]

31. Well, let us

know what they have to say.

[ret5hd]

32. you can't have evidence with no testing, right?

just close your eyes, go to sleep. everything will be fine, right?

step 1: test
step 2: abate if necessary

skip step 1, no need for step 2. easy peasy.

[Greg_In_SF]

38. We don't know

that there was no testing.

[ret5hd]

41. you're acting like we are the ones...

that need to prove there was no testing.

that’s not how stuff works.

[Greg_In_SF]

42. You are correct.

I am saying exactly that.

The OP said we should call our representatives and ask what's being done about the asbestos being spread around the White House and surrounding area. Well, so far, we have absolutely no evidence that there is asbestos being spread around.

The logical path would be to find out if permits were issued, if inspections were done, and if asbestos was found, etc. and then go from there.

It's like accusing D.R. Horton of building a home on top of a sink hole with no evidence that a sink hole even exists.

[SARose]

9. From AI overview

Potential risks
Age of the structure: The East Wing was initially built in 1902, with additions in 1942, coinciding with the peak use of asbestos in the United States.

Hazardous materials: Buildings from this era often contain asbestos-containing materials in products like insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and textured paints.

Demolition risk: The demolition of the building could release harmful asbestos fibers into the air, potentially exposing workers, staff, and the public.

Also some concrete blocks built during this time also contain asbestos.

More information here

[Jack Valentino]

40. I hope that Highchair Hitler makes frequent visits to the demolition site,

and breathes deeply.....

[IbogaProject]

16. It is basically a certainty given the time period it was constructed

This falls under assume it was there until proven otherwise.

[RandomNumbers]

22. When I had some work done in a bathroom in my house

the contractor told me they were required to check for lead, DUE TO THE ERA when the house was built.

In other words, they didn't KNOW, but facts about the house made it HIGHLY PROBABLE.

(yes, they found lead paint.)

So perhaps the wording should be to ask whether there was any testing done for presence of asbestos, and given the probability it was found, what was done to remediate?

[CanonRay]

36. My father in law was a sheet metal worker after WWII.

It was everywhere. The East Wing was built in 1942.

[Chemical Bill]

43. Any normal demo would have to be pre-tested for asbestos.

You don't get to assume that it isn't there, you assume it is until proven otherwise. I tested kitchen floor tiles in my house to be sure it wasn't there.

[maxsolomon]

2. There probably is a Hazardous Materials Survey

done prior to the Trump occupation.

Did they take it into account? No one knows.

[progressoid]

3. Mesothelioma?

Isn't that the first lady?

[leftieNanner]

12. Thread winner!

Bravo!

[gab13by13]

4. I doubt they got a permit

Let alone do asbestos remediation.

[MadameButterfly]

29. Any major project like this would consider asbestos,

test, and have a remediation plan. Unless the existence of said project was kept a secret from all responsible parties.
Trump was trying to get this done before political objections could be raised. I don't think asbestos even occurred to him. Too bad he doesn't have any experience in the building industry.

[Irish_Dem]

5. US taxpayers will have to pay for legal bills, lawsuits, settlements.

Why would Trump worry about it?

[SARose]

10. Exactly

Nt

[hlthe2b]

7. Quite obviously not.. No tents, no hazardous waste suits or debris handling collectors...

and it takes TIME. Pretty clear from the Treasury Dept photos that there was no pause between the backhoes coming in and total destruction of facade and interior.

I also question whether they actually retrieved valuable fixtures and other historical interior objects.

[SARose]

11. No they did not

Per AI overview

AI Overview
Yes, the demolition of the East Wing did save historical artifacts by preserving a digital record and storing physical objects for safekeeping. The White House Historical Association conducted a "comprehensive digital scanning and photography project" to capture the East Wing in detail before demolition, while a White House official stated that historic items, including those from Rosalynn Carter's office, were removed and relocated for preservation.

Digital preservation: The White House Historical Association created a detailed digital record of the East Wing using scans and photographs.

Physical preservation: Historic artifacts, including items from Rosalynn Carter's former office, were removed and stored in a secure location before construction began.

Staff relocation: Other office spaces within the East Wing, such as those for the first lady's staff, were relocated.


Soooo none of the windows, frescoes, and even trees.

Gah!

[sop]

17. The demo crew sprayed water on the falling rubble as they tore the building down to keep dust from spreading.

That's it, nothing more was done. They probably violated a dozen local and federal construction codes, but who will do anything about it?

[ananda]

8. From ADAO

Posted on October 22, 2025

Demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House began this week as Donald Trump’s new privately-funded ballroom project has begun. While photos of the demolition caused shock and dismay from the public, it also raised immediate concerns about the impact on public health and safety. The East Wing is more than 100 years old, with portions constructed initially in 1902 and later additions added in 1942, at the height of our nation’s use of toxic asbestos in construction.

[Cheezoholic]

15. A guy with a hose n/t

[Blue Owl]

18. Is he dead yet?

[BannonsLiver]

19. Great question. I'm not going to get my hopes up though.

[spanone]

20. Donald Trump and Asbestos - A Global Perspective

“Asbestos is the greatest fireproofing material ever used, and everybody in the construction industry knows it. It is also 100% safe, once applied. But early on, asbestos got a bad rap because of the fact that miners who were digging asbestos for many years would often develop asbestosis, and therefore people thought that asbestos was not safe. I'm not saying it's the greatest material to work with. I'm only saying it's the safest material in terms of fire. A huge and concerted effort was made to have asbestos removed from buildings, causing tremendous dislocation and destruction and creating a new problem: asbestos floating in the air.

https://www.ibasecretariat.org/lka-donald-trump-and-asbestos-a-global-perspective.php

[SARose]

33. My father-in-law died from asbestosis

Worked at a SE Texas oil refinery for 40 years. A terrible way to die.

My husband would tell the orange one “Say it to my face!”

[spanone]

35. Sorry for your loss.

[nilram]

21. Sorry for the workers, but anybody in the administration?? pfffft

[gilligan]

23. Asbestos survey

I was a DSA Inspector for schools in California for 20 years. Most remodeling projects had site assessments prior to any demolition.
But this is TSF. He could care less.
Plus they take to long for his bunch of losers. He’s shooting from the hip.

[SARose]

34. Take too long

Ding, ding, ding!

Who’s gonna tell him we, the people, do not want Mar-A-Lago North at OUR White House?

C’mon Democrats! Use this moment to ask why the hurry?

C’mon Democrats was this a single source contract for demolition? Architectural contact? Engineering contract? General Construction contract? How were these contracts bid?

C’mon Democrats who inspects the foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing and more? My little town inspected my new AC unit and new water heater.

C’mon Democrats how much did that change order from 55,000 to 90,000 sq feet cost?

C’mon Democrats! Carpe Diem, already.

[COL Mustard]

24. Asbestos remediation is for sissies.

Besides, it'll be 20-30 years before the workers get sick, and hey, they took their chances. They knew what they were getting into.














/s, and I hope not really needed.

[PatSeg]

25. Trump likes asbestos

He thought warnings about the dangers of asbestos were alarmist.

From a Google search:

"100 percent safe" claim: In his 1997 book The Art of the Comeback, Trump wrote that asbestos is "100 percent safe, once applied". This contradicts the overwhelming scientific and medical consensus that there is no safe level of exposure to the known carcinogen.

Mob-conspiracy theory: In the same book, Trump suggested the anti-asbestos movement was a mob-led conspiracy to profit from expensive removal contracts.

2005 congressional testimony: As a real estate developer, Trump told a congressional hearing that asbestos was "the greatest fire-proofing material ever made".

International connections: During his first administration, a Russian asbestos company, Uralasbest, used Trump's image and the words "Approved by Donald Trump" on its packaging, praising his administration for not moving to ban the carcinogen.

So it is likely he sees no danger to him or his staff.

From MSNBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/trump-s-longtime-love-affair-with-asbestos-1250861124000

[debsy]

26. It's impossible to get through to anyone

The government is shut down and nobody is answering the phones.Our representative hasn’t been sworn in, media doesn’t give a shit, newspapers are impossible to submit letters to the editor to, the law doesn’t apply to Donnie dumpster and all his bully partners in crime, … I digress.

We were in construction for years. If we had ever done something like this, we would have been shut down and put out of business.

[MadameButterfly]

30. If we can't get Trump, take down the company that did the demolition

They should know better and they don't have immunity.
All collaborators should pay.

[twodogsbarking]

27. Opeing soon -Trump Steak House - One Pennsylvania Ave.. Inported beef from Argentina. Fourteen year old waitresses.

[kimbutgar]

28. Well I hope tuckfrump and his minions inhale tons of that asbestos !

I can only hope! 🤞and 🙏😎

[Bayard]

37. That thought did run through my mind

But, then the horror of what I was watching took over.

All those late night lawyer ads are going to be even more prolific.

[Jack Valentino]

39. For NOW---- I DON'T CARE! I hope Trump's bedroom is FILLED with ASBESTOS DUST,

with a pile of it underneath his pillow!

I hope it is sprinkled all over his cheeseburgers, and in his ketchup and fries!

(sorry for holding back, and not telling you all 'how I really feel'!)


(When we eventually retake the White House, our President and his family
may have to reside in some other domicile until Trump's mess can be cleaned up...)