Donald Trump finally breaks silence, reveals reason for withholding payment from ACECO Demolition Company after the firm accused him of failing to pay Balance for the White House East Wing demolition project

Donald Trump Finally Reveals Why He Withheld Payment from ACECO Demolition Company

President Donald Trump has broken his silence regarding the controversy surrounding unpaid balances owed to ACECO Demolition Company — the firm responsible for demolishing the historic East Wing of the White House.

The dispute began after ACECO publicly accused Trump of failing to pay millions in outstanding fees for their work on the high-profile demolition project, which sparked nationwide criticism and potential legal threats. The company alleged that despite completing the demolition as contracted, they had yet to receive full payment for their services.

In a statement released Friday, Trump defended his decision to delay the payment, claiming that ACECO “failed to meet several structural and safety standards” during the demolition process. According to him, the company’s “negligence and poor workmanship” caused costly delays and additional expenses to the government’s renovation plan.

“We don’t reward incompetence. ACECO didn’t deliver what was promised, and taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for shoddy work,” Trump said in the statement.

ACECO has denied the allegations, calling Trump’s remarks “baseless and defamatory.” The company insists that all safety measures were followed and that their work passed multiple federal inspections before completion.

Legal experts say the standoff could escalate into a major lawsuit if both sides fail to reach a settlement. Sources close to ACECO suggest the company is already preparing a formal legal complaint seeking full payment and damages.

The East Wing demolition project, part of a controversial redevelopment plan initiated under Trump’s administration, drew public backlash for erasing a piece of White House history. With this new dispute unfolding, it has once again placed Trump’s post-presidency business dealings under scrutiny.