Melania Trump Blocks Ballroom Construction and Elon Musk's Overnight Stay at the White House

Rejection of the Ballroom Project

According to Главком: First Lady Melania Trump opposed her husband President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom at the White House, also objecting to Elon Musk sleeping over at the residence and disapproving of added gold leaf in the Oval Office. These details come from a book by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.

According to the report, Melania Trump vetoed the ballroom proposal, which would have replaced the East Wing-traditionally the First Lady's office space. Preferring a quiet environment with minimal disruptions, she repeatedly expressed concerns about the ballroom's size and location. The journalists noted,

“she is a minimalist”

-highlighting the contrasting views between Donald Trump and his wife regarding White House design and decor.

Elon Musk's Sleepover and Gold Leaf in the Oval Office

As for Elon Musk, President Trump agreed to his request to stay overnight at the White House residence. Melania Trump initially objected, but Musk ultimately spent several nights in the Lincoln Bedroom. The authors wrote,

“Musk asked if he could sleep in the White House residence, and Trump agreed”

.

Additionally, Melania Trump rejected the idea of adding gold leaf to the Oval Office and other White House rooms. Donald Trump, in turn, joked about this in the presence of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, emphasizing his own vision for the residence's aesthetic. Meanwhile, in 2025, Trump held a conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson that likely also covered White House design and architecture issues.

These events underscore internal family disagreements over the White House's look and functionality. Melania Trump's push for a calm, minimalist atmosphere reflects her personal preferences and approach to her role as First Lady. The dynamic between Donald Trump and his wife, along with invitations to figures like Elon Musk, reveals the complex social and cultural dimensions tied to the presidential residence.