First Lady Melania Trump has privately expressed her concerns about President Donald Trump’s decision to demolish the White House East Wing, according to officials from the administration who spoke to The Wall Street Journal in a report dated October 25, 2025.
Sources cited by the Journal have indicated that Melania Trump expressed her worries about the demolition of the East Wing to close associates, clarifying that the project was not initiated by her. She has not made a public statement about the removal of the historic area, which includes the Office of the First Lady, the East Colonnade, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
The demolition of the East Wing, built during the Roosevelt era, began this week to make space for a proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom. This move breaks a previous commitment by President Trump to preserve the existing structure during the construction. Initially, the president had claimed that the ballroom would be constructed adjacent to the East Wing, ensuring the historic building remained untouched.
Images of excavators dismantling the building surfaced this week, quickly spreading on social media and prompting strong reactions from the public. Reports have suggested that the destruction is visible even from space.
The estimated cost of the project has surged from $200 million to at least $300 million, with President Trump asserting that private donations will cover the expenses. The proposed ballroom’s capacity has expanded to accommodate 900 people, up from the original plan of 650. The new structure will be nearly double the size of the White House’s main building, which is 55,000 square feet.
Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump’s former chief of staff and now a critic of the Trump administration, told CNN that the destruction of the East Wing is distressing. Grisham pointed out the rapid pace of the project’s execution, bypassing standard procedures for White House renovations. She expressed surprise at the swift demolition process, which took only a few days.
The Trump administration has yet to submit the ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency responsible for approving and overseeing construction on federal properties. Will Scharf, appointed by Trump as chair of the planning commission, stated last month that while demolition does not require approval, construction does.
On October 21, the National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a letter urging the White House to pause the demolition until plans are reviewed. The organization expressed concerns that the new construction’s scale and height could overshadow the White House and disrupt its classical design, which includes the smaller East and West Wings.
The letter emphasized: “As we approach the 250th Anniversary of our country’s founding, the preservation of historic places that represent our nation’s history has never been more relevant or important.”
In a press interaction on October 23, President Trump was questioned by Reuters reporter Jeff Mason about the transparency of the project. The president responded defensively, stating: “I haven’t been transparent? Really? I’ve shown this to everybody that would listen. Third-rate reporters didn’t see it because they didn’t look.”
Despite her apparent concerns, sources previously informed People magazine that Melania Trump supported the remodeling plans as they made the presidential residence resemble their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. A Florida source suggested that both Donald and Melania Trump prefer Palm Beach and are bringing a similar aesthetic to Washington, D.C.
A Mar-a-Lago club member mentioned to People that the Trumps take pride in their Florida home’s design and enjoy showcasing it, suggesting that remodeling the White House to reflect that style is consistent with their preferences. The source noted President Trump personally contributed to the decor at their Florida residence.
The East Wing demolition coincides with a prolonged government shutdown, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA agents, working without pay.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended the project, stating that President Trump is dedicated to enhancing the White House without taxpayer expense. Ingle emphasized that the upgrades are intended to benefit future presidents and American visitors to the People’s House.
The First Lady and the White House have not responded to requests for comment regarding Melania Trump’s reported concerns. Melania Trump primarily resides in New York and has seldom attended official events at the White House since her husband’s return to the presidency.
Officials have stated that the East Wing offices will be reconstructed as part of the ongoing project.