The First Lady, Melania Trump, has publicly stayed silent on her partner Donald Trump’s project and very ambitious decision to demolish the entire East Wing of the historic White House building.
The latest design means building a massive and controversial 90,000 square foot ballroom. Behind closed doors, though, aides claim that she privately voiced serious concerns about the decision. She told associates that this was never her intention or idea and never her project to begin with.
She also raised massive objectives to tearing down the wing. The East Wing has long housed the offices of the First Lady and her staff. The demolition had forced various offices, social, calligraphy, visitor services, to move to temporary locations while construction proceeds.
The project spearheaded by President Trump and backed by his asserted private funding, had drawn sharp criticism from preservationist groups and historians.
They say a massive build risks overwhelming the classical design and heritage of the White House. This positions Melania’s silence and sidelining of the First Lady’s classic role as emblematic of a bigger shift. Her role seems to be limited as the renovation continues under Trump’s leadership.