First Lady Melania Trump isn’t entirely on board with her husband’s plan to tear down the East Wing of the White House for a new ballroom, though President Trump announced on Monday that renovations are already in progress.
“She really liked her small office,” the president shared during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. Reports suggest Melania has privately voiced her concerns about the demolition of the East Tower.
While Trump, who is 79, didn’t necessarily dismiss these reports, he hinted that Melania was beginning to adapt to the large construction project that commenced late last month.
“She’s very smart,” he remarked, claiming that “in about a day she’ll be saying, ‘Amazing.'”
The East Wing was home to the first lady’s office and various White House social departments, including graphics and calligraphy.
Last month, officials referenced in a Wall Street Journal article indicated that Melania had mentioned the demolition was not her idea.
The president plans to erect a vast 90,000-square-foot ballroom in the area where the East Wing once stood. Originally built in 1902, the ballroom has undergone numerous renovations since.
“The East Tower has been renovated 20 times, but it’s still not good,” Trump noted, critiquing its construction with “ordinary bricks and tiny little windows. It looked like hell.” He emphasized, “I don’t want to sacrifice a great banquet hall for one that’s just okay.” He mentioned targeting the middle of the East Wing instead.
When unveiling the ballroom plans, Trump suggested it would be adjacent to the existing East Wing, rather than replacing it entirely.
He claims the project will be funded solely through donations, with costs reaching up to $300 million.
Critics, including former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and ex-first lady Michelle Obama, have challenged the renovation plans.
“This isn’t his home. It’s your home. And he’s destroying it,” Clinton remarked on X last month.
Obama reportedly expressed during a podcast that, “When we discuss the East Wing, it represents our work. Disregarding it reflects a flawed view of that role.”
In response, Trump pointed out the need for a banquet hall capable of hosting significant events without disturbing White House guests, dismissing any concern from the Obamas: “They won’t care about this.” He commented on the previous arrangements like low tents that struggled during rainy days, describing those setups as “a disaster.”
The construction for the banquet hall is anticipated to finish by early 2029, ahead of Trump’s departure from office.
He asserted, “I’m going to build the best banquet hall anywhere in the world. I’ve built plenty of banquet halls.”
