Trump Considers Relocating White House Press Corps to 'Less Obnoxious' Location

United States President Donald Trump has indicated that he might move the White House press corps to a different location, potentially away from the executive residence. In a social media post on Friday, Trump dismissed reports suggesting he planned to remove the White House press briefing room to restore a historic swimming pool beneath it as “Fake News.” He stated, “I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!” via Truth Social. However, Trump did suggest he might relocate the dozens of reporters covering the White House to “a less obnoxious location.” The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump had discussed with his former press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, the idea of moving journalists out of the White House’s renowned James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. This proposal did not advance during Leavitt’s tenure, which concluded on August 27.

Trump’s comments emerge during a period of strained relations between him and the journalists covering his administration. Last month, Trump barred journalists from three US-based media outlets—CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO—from the White House. Critics of this action argued it infringed upon First Amendment protections. A US federal judge ruled that the ban was likely unconstitutional, compelling the White House to reinstate the journalists’ access, a decision the Trump administration continues to contest.

The President has frequently criticized and disparaged members of the media, whom he accuses of unfair coverage. A recent instance occurred during an Oval Office event on Tuesday when Trump confronted The Independent’s White House Correspondent Andrew Feinberg, asking, “What’s wrong with you? Are you a sick person? I actually think there’s something wrong with you” as Feinberg attempted to ask a question. This exchange was subsequently highlighted by the White House on social media.

Should Trump proceed with altering the White House press briefing room, it would represent the latest in a series of controversial projects aimed at transforming the property. Since his return to power last year, the US president has overseen the demolition of the White House East Wing for a new ballroom, the installation of concrete pavers over the lawn in the White House Rose Garden, and the construction of a helipad on the South Lawn.

The Times reported that Trump had informed aides of his desire to reinstate an indoor pool in the West Wing, originally built in 1933 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it for therapeutic swimming due to polio. According to his presidential library, the pool was intended to alleviate soreness. In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon had a floor built over the pool to accommodate the expanding White House press corps, and the pool remains situated beneath the current briefing room floor. Leavitt confirmed in a Friday interview that Trump was “flirting” with the idea of restoring the pool, suggesting, “He just, maybe, wants to restore it to all of its glory.” She added, “I don’t know if he’ll do it.” The White House did not immediately respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.