Melania Trump’s East Wing office is no more, as Donald Trump is constructing a $300 million ballroom in its place.
While Melania can move elsewhere, an expert has weighed in on the somber reality of her role in his presidency.
The demolition of the East Wing, which includes the Office of the First Lady, the East Colonnade, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, has sparked both praise and backlash. Some see it as the right move, while others are furious about the decision.
For Melania, the East Wing was her office during her first term, where she carried out various duties, including her 2018 planting of 40 red trees in the Colonnade to honor fallen soldiers. The demolition has left her with few options for where to work, with reports suggesting she shared concerns behind closed doors.
Her former chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, admitted on CNN that the decision to demolish the wing “breaks her heart.”
She added that the rapid demolition felt harsh, likening it to tearing down a “condemned house.”
Some see the demolition as a reflection of Melania’s role within the Trump administration. Her second term has been quieter, with Melania appointing only five full-time staff members, none of whom are now based in the East Wing.
Professor Katherine Sibley, speaking to The Guardian, argued that the East Wing was traditionally where first ladies could carry out significant work. The demolition, she believes, reflects how little Melania’s position is valued within the Trump White House.
