Michelle Obama reacts to Trump’s White House East Wing demolition
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Former First Lady Michelle Obama photographed President Donald Trump destroying the East Wing of the White House during an interview with NBC on Tuesday.
Obama joked about the changes being made to the historic building, recalling the time he spent at the White House with another former resident, NBC’s Jenna Bush Hager.
“There’s no guidebook,” Obama said of the challenges of being first lady during an appearance on NBC’s “TODAY with Jenna & Friends” to promote her new book, “The Look.”
Michelle Obama appeared on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends” on Tuesday, where she reflected on her time as First Lady and shared her perspective on President Donald Trump’s White House renovations. (NBC’s “TODAY with Jenna and Friends”/Youtube)
“We’re very understaffed. We don’t have a building anymore,” he said, referring to the turmoil surrounding construction in the East Wing.
Trump demolished the East Wing to make room for a $250 million ballroom project; Democrats criticized it for erasing a significant part of the building’s history.
THE WHITE HOUSE RENOVATION SAID LONG BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP’S $200 MILLION BALLROOM
He lived in the White House with the Obama family for eight years. The East Wing formerly housed the First Lady’s office and staff.
An excavator works to clear rubble following the collapse of the East Wing of the White House on October 23 in Washington, D.C. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
“I know, RIP to the East Wing,” said Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush.
Former White House residents Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton also vocally criticized the move last month.
Obama, the first Black woman to become First Lady, also said she felt her family was criticized more than other first families.
“The light was a little brighter because politics created an otherness. There were some people who tried to paint everything we did as a sign that we weren’t ready, that we weren’t fit, that we weren’t American enough,” Obama said.
Michelle Obama speaks on stage during a live taping of the “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” podcast at the Austin Convention Center during the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival on March 13. (Julia Beverly/WireImage)
BILL MAHER SAID TRUMP’S BUILDING A ‘GIANT BALLROOM’ MEANS HE ‘DIS NOT LEAVING’ THE WHITE HOUSE
“And I don’t think other families are interested in that kind of criticism. But, as you know, it’s a strange job as a first lady,” she said.
Photos of the construction sparked outrage online. The Trump administration has advocated demolition.
McCrery Architects rendering of the new ballroom provided by the White House. (White House)
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“Unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition of a privately financed grand ballroom,” the White House said in a statement, calling the project a “bold, necessary addition.” he said.
Officials also noted that previous presidents made major changes during their terms. Their lists included President Theodore Roosevelt’s addition of the West Wing, President Barack Obama’s basketball arena, and President Bill Clinton’s restoration of the Executive Mansion.
