Stewart McLaurin knew it was coming. But the president of the White House Historical Association says it was still “jarring” to see the entire White House East Wing torn down as part of President Donald Trump's plan to add a ballroom. McLaurin hasn't taken a position on the Republican president's proposal. That's not his role as the longtime president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan group. But McLaurin said he's seen something positive come out of the demolition. He says more people have been talking and learning about White House history in the past couple of weeks.