One way to redefine the first lady role: demolish Melania’s office to build a folly

The president's wife is reported to have privately raised concerns about' the destruction of the White House East Wing. If so, they were ignored

From Eleanor Roosevelt to Melania Trump, the East Wing of the White House served as a base for first ladies. It was where Michelle Obama spearheaded her Let's Move public health campaign and where Nancy Reagan and her staff worked on the Just Say No drug awareness initiative.

It was a place where first ladies could carry out the important work that they do," said Katherine AS Sibley, a professor of history at St Joseph's University.