MAKE IT MAKE SENSE: Follow the money

Why ballrooms don’t actually cost thousands of dollars per square foot -- and a good message is still free

In today’s letter: Understanding the destruction in D.C. by figuring out how many favors it will cost per square foot; why rebuilding ties now makes rebuilding the country possible later; an online jazz community grows up.

If The Ink helps you understand these times and keeps you sane, join us today.

THE GIST: Where is that $350 million coming from — and going?

Just when you thought the surprise total demolition of the White House’s East Wing was perhaps a tad too on the nose, consider the possibility that it’s actually even worse than you think. Much worse.