First Lady Melania Trump reportedly doesn’t want to be a part of President Donald Trump’s project to demolish The White House. Earlier in October, the president unveiled his controversial plans to renovate the building’s East Wing to install a large ballroom. While it’s been reported that The First Lady supports her husband redecorating The White House to feel more like Mar-a-Lago, she is apparently not keen on the grand ballroom project and wants to separate herself from it as much as possible.
The First Lady “raised concerns” about Donald Trump demolishing The White House
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Melanie Trump “privately raised concerns about tearing down the East Wing and told associates it wasn’t her project, according to administration officials.”
This is despite several sources telling People that the First Lady has approved prior efforts to transform The White House into something closer to their residence in Palm Beach. An anonymous club member from Mar-A-Lago said, “Anytime Melanie and Donald can make the White House feel more like Mar-a-Lago, they will.”
“They love Mar-a-Lago,” the source continued. “Not only is it their home, but Donald personally created much of the current decor and takes pride in living there and showing it to other people.”
Her alleged desire not to have her name tied to the ballroom project comes amid mixed emotions from Americans reacting to the renovation. President Trump previously claimed that the plans for the project would not damage The White House, but viral photographs and videos of the demolition reveal large excavators and machinery ripping the East Wing apart.
A letter from the National Capital Planning Commission sent to The White House on October 21, 2025 urged the Administration “to pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review processes.”
In September Melania Trump appeared at the state banquet at Windsor Palace with a striking yellow gown, though she forgot to curtsy per royal protocol during the state visit.
