Former first lady Michelle Obama publicly criticised Donald Trump’s demolition of the White House East Wing during a recent discussion promoting her new book.

“When we talk about the East Wing, it is the heart of the work,” she said.

“And to denigrate it, to tear it down, to pretend like it doesn’t matter – it’s a reflection of how you think of that role.”

The demolition, completed last month, makes way for a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom estimated at roughly US$300 million and rising from initial estimates of US$200 million.

The East Wing has traditionally housed the office of the first lady, visitor-access services and the White House family theatre.

Obama recalled that during her eight years in the White House, she told her husband’s staff that the East Wing work – from public appearance to family moment – delivered “five extra approval points” for the presidency, underlining the operational significance of the space beyond décor.

She said that dismissing the building diminished not only a structure but an entire role.

According to recent polling, a majority of Americans oppose the demolition and replacement project, with 56 per cent saying they disapprove and only 28 per cent in favour.

The Trump administration contends the ballroom will be funded privately and suits modern event requirements, while historic-preservation groups warn of lost legacy and transparency shortfalls.

The debate over the East Wing touches broader questions of institutional memory, the role of the first lady and how the White House complex reflects tradition, function and power.

As construction proceeds and cost estimates grow, the broader scrutiny of the project remains a reflection of deeper anxieties around legacy and authority.