The East Wing, which has served as the office for presidential spouses since Rosalynn Carter’s time in the late 1970s, is being razed to make room for President Donald Trump’s much-publicized 90,000-square-foot ballroom project. While construction crews moved in this week, the first lady’s office declined to comment on whether she supports or opposes the plans.
According to White House officials, the project has forced Melania’s small staff of five to temporarily relocate across the executive mansion — a stark contrast to her first term, when she presided over a robust East Wing operation. Offices that once hosted the social secretary, the calligraphy team, and the Visitors Office have now been scattered across the White House complex and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
A Changed Role in Washington
Melania Trump’s muted presence in Washington during her husband’s second term has become increasingly evident. She now spends most of her time between New York and Palm Beach, rarely appearing at public events in the capital.
During her first tenure as first lady, Melania was a visible figure in White House restoration efforts — overseeing furniture preservation in the Blue Room, redesigning the Rose Garden, and even unveiling a new tennis pavilion that won architectural praise despite early criticism.
This time, she’s remained noticeably detached from the sweeping renovations her husband has championed.
“Watching the demolition is the physical embodiment of watching the first lady’s role become smaller and smaller,” said presidential historian Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies. “She’s making it clear that, like her husband, she’s not going to follow precedent — she’s not trying to be like any other first lady.”
Backlash From Former White House Staff
For many who once worked in the East Wing, the sight of its walls coming down has been emotional.
“Since Monday, I’ve heard from East Wing alumni across several administrations who are stunned,” said Anita McBride, former chief of staff to Laura Bush. “That building represented purpose, service, and history. To see it gutted is heartbreaking.”
The East Wing’s history runs deep. First built in 1902, it was reimagined during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency and became the symbolic home of first ladies’ work when Rosalynn Carter established her office there in 1977. It also served as the public entrance for White House events such as state dinners and receptions — moments of American diplomacy and culture.
Political and Public Reactions
The silence from Melania Trump’s team contrasts sharply with growing public frustration. On Tuesday, Hillary Clinton weighed in on social media, sharing a link to reports of the demolition and writing:
“It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”
Other living former first ladies — Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden — have not commented publicly, though insiders say they were “deeply disappointed” by the lack of preservation effort.
Former CNN White House reporter Kate Bennett, who wrote Free, Melania, compared the situation to a personal affront:
“It’s like your neighbor demolishing your garage for a basketball court — and you just don’t say anything about it.”
What Comes Next
The White House has yet to clarify whether the new ballroom will include permanent office space for future first ladies and their teams. Sources say the East Wing demolition is only the beginning of a larger “modernization plan” being quietly advanced by the Trump administration.
While construction continues behind temporary fencing, the public tours of the White House have been suspended indefinitely.
For now, Melania Trump’s silence speaks louder than words — a statement of detachment that mirrors her shifting place in Washington’s political and cultural life.