'Outnumbered' panelists discuss the media's continued 'obsession' over construction at the White House as President Donald Trump remodels the East Wing to accommodate the planned ballroom.

Dolley Madison, the fashionable wife of President James Madison, was the hostess with the mostess in Washington from 1809 to 1817. She threw the best parties in town, hands down.

So, what would she say about President Donald Trump's ballroom? She would say, "Let's have a squeeze," which was the nickname for her parties because they were packed with people. She would welcome the addition and understand the need for it.

In her era, inviting congressmen and senators from both political parties to a White House party was dangerous. President Thomas Jefferson steered away from it. Why? Duels. As Americans have seen a rise in political violence today, it is easy to feel the horror that Americans experienced when they learned of a duel. Men would challenge each other to a duel where they would each fire a shot at the other to settle a conflict.

Vice President Aaron Burr infamously shot and killed Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. The scandal was particularly bitter for Dolley. After all, Burr had introduced her to then-Rep. Madison years earlier. She wanted to change the culture and cancel dueling.

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Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755–1828) painted first lady Dolley Payne Madison, 1804, oil on canvas, in The White House Collection. (VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)

Despite the risk, Dolley wasn't afraid of inviting members of opposite political parties to the president's house for one special reason. Ladies. By remembering the ladies and inviting women to these events, she ensured that men would be on their best behavior. They would dare not challenge each other to a duel in the presence of ladies.

Dolley's open-house parties on Wednesdays were much more than having fun, although there was plenty of ice cream and goodies. These events served an important purpose; one we need today.

By bringing........

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