CaliToday (28/10/2025): As criticism mounts over the leveling of the historic wing, the First Lady has reportedly made it clear to her inner circle: "This is not my project."
WASHINGTON (Oct 27, 2025) – First Lady Melania Trump has privately expressed significant concerns over the controversial demolition of the White House East Wing, a structure razed to make way for a new, $300 million ballroom for President Trump, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The demolition, images of which have dominated newspaper front pages, was completed last Thursday, sparking a firestorm of criticism. While the administration has publicly championed the future ballroom as a "bold and necessary addition" to the executive mansion, the First Lady is reportedly keeping her distance.
The Wall Street Journal, citing administration officials, reports that Mrs. Trump has been unambiguous in her separation from the decision. She has allegedly told confidants flatly that she is not involved in the project, which is seen as a personal priority of the President.
This marks a significant departure from her previous high-profile White House restorations, such as the Rose Garden and Tennis Pavilion, which she personally oversaw.
The East Wing was far more than just office space. It was the traditional and symbolic heart of the First Lady's operations, housing her personal office and staff, the White House social secretary, and the official calligraphers. The structure also famously contained the White House movie theater and, critically, the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), the secure underground bunker.
The administration is now facing a wave of backlash from historians and the President's political opponents. Critics argue that demolishing a core part of the White House undermines its iconic status as "The People's House" and represents a break from historical preservation norms.
Furthermore, the project has been condemned for what critics call a severe lack of transparency.
The administration has forcefully rejected these claims. In a press briefing, officials insisted the process was "fully transparent" and that the ambitious project would not cost taxpayers a dollar. Last week, the White House released a list of private donors funding the $300 million construction, a list that includes corporate giants such as Amazon, Apple, and Google.
As construction on the new ballroom begins on the site of the former East Wing, the First Lady's reported disapproval adds a new layer of internal friction to a project already mired in public controversy.
The Hill newspaper has reportedly reached out to both the White House and the First Lady's office for comment.