First lady Melania Trump initially had reservations about the decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House to make room for a new ballroom, as revealed by President Trump on Monday. However, she is now embracing the renovations.
During an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, President Trump mentioned that Melania was fond of her small office in the East Wing. This came in response to a report in the Wall Street Journal that Melania had expressed concerns about the demolition of the East Wing.
While not denying the report, Trump stated that Melania quickly came around to the idea of the construction project, which began recently. He praised her intelligence and noted that she now sees the project as “great.”
The East Wing previously housed the first lady’s offices and the White House’s social offices, including departments for graphics and calligraphy.
According to sources cited in the Wall Street Journal, Melania had indicated that the demolition was not her initiative.
President Trump is overseeing the construction of a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom in place of the East Wing, which was originally built in 1902 and has undergone multiple renovations over the years.
Speaking about the decision to demolish the East Wing, Trump explained that the building had been renovated numerous times and did not meet the desired standards. He emphasized the need for a new ballroom and defended the project’s importance.
Trump clarified that the project is entirely funded by donations and is estimated to cost up to $300 million.
The president faced criticism from Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, regarding the project. Both Clinton and Obama expressed concerns about the destruction of the East Wing and its significance in the role of the first lady.
Addressing the criticism, Trump defended the construction of the ballroom, highlighting its necessity for hosting large events and accommodating distinguished guests at the White House.
Construction on the ballroom is projected to be finished by early 2029, before the end of Trump’s term in office. He assured that the new ballroom would be world-class and a testament to his experience in building such facilities.
