Betty Ford reportedly said that if the White House West Wing is the "mind" of the nation, then the East Wing — the traditional power center for first ladies — is the "heart."
First lady Betty Ford works in her East Wing office Feb. 20, 1975.
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The East Wing Hallway of the White House is decorated for the holidays Nov. 29, 2016.
Carter
Press Secretary Sheila Tate, left, and first lady Nancy Reagan work Feb. 8, 1982, in an office in the East Wing.
President Bill Clinton, flanked by Governors Ann Richards of Texas, left, and Mario Cuomo of New York, watches the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills play in the Super Bowl with his daughter Chelsea and their cat, Socks, on Jan. 31, 1993, in the family theater in the East Wing of the White House.
Bush
First Lady Michelle Obama talks with Melissa Winter on May 3, 2010, in the East Wing of the White House.
First lady Melania Trump, second from left, visits with children in the East Wing on Nov. 27, 2017.
First lady Jill Biden talks to a group of students in the Booksellers Hall of the East Wing on Oct. 21, 2024.
White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction, photos show
This satellite image shows the White House in Washington on Sept. 26, 2025, with the East Wing intact before demolition began.
This satellite image shows the East Wing mostly demolished Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up a historic photo showing construction of the East Terrace of the White House in 1902 as she speaks about planned construction of a new ballroom following the demolition of the White House East Wing, during a news briefing Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the White House in Washington.
Work continues Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, on demolition of part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
People watch from outside a security fence Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, as demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition work is seen Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the planned White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds another rendering of the planned White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office.
A model of the White House and the new ballroom, right, is seen on a table Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, as President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the interior of the new White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Demolition continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington, before construction of the ballroom.
Water is sprayed on debris to help with dust control Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, amid demolition work on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom.
Construction crews demolish the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
Construction crews demolish the East Wing of the White House on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom right, watch Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom left, watch as work continues Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Work continues Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
A worker walks through debris Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
