Press Corps May Move to 'Less Obnoxious' Spot, Says Trump

President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that the White House press corps might be relocated to a new site, describing the current arrangement as potentially 'less obnoxious' if moved. In a post on Truth Social, the president addressed the future of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, pushing back against speculation that he intended to demolish the space entirely. While he dismissed the idea of removing the room to uncover a historic swimming pool as 'Fake News,' he left the door open for a significant change in where journalists conduct their daily work.

The timeline of this potential shift began earlier this week. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Trump had discussed moving journalists out of the briefing room with former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. According to that report, the concept did not gain traction during Leavitt's time in the role, which concluded on August 27. The discussion centers on the pool built in 1933 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to manage symptoms of polio. In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon installed a floor over the pool to accommodate the expanding media presence. The pool remains beneath the current briefing room floor.

Leavitt commented on the situation in a Friday interview on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. She characterized the president's stance as 'flirting' with the restoration of the pool. She noted that he 'maybe, wants to restore it to all of its glory,' but added that she remained uncertain if he would ultimately follow through. Trump's own words on Friday clarified his position slightly, as he wrote that he 'NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing' regarding the removal of the briefing room, yet he still floated the idea of relocating the reporters themselves.

These remarks land during a period of heightened tension between the administration and the media. Last month, Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House. Free speech advocates argued the move violated First Amendment protections. A US federal judge subsequently ruled the order was likely unconstitutional, forcing the White House to reinstate the journalists' access. The administration is currently challenging that ruling in court.

Friction with individual reporters has also intensified. On Tuesday, during an Oval Office event, Trump clashed with Andrew Feinberg, a White House correspondent for The Independent. As Feinberg attempted to ask a question, Trump asked, 'What's wrong with you? Are you a sick person? I actually think there's something wrong with you.' The White House later shared the moment on social media, highlighting the ongoing dynamic between the president and the press corps.

Any decision to alter the briefing room would join a series of controversial changes made to the White House property since Trump returned to power last year. These projects include the demolition of the East Wing for a new ballroom, the installation of concrete pavers in the Rose Garden, and the construction of a helipad on the South Lawn. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new relocation suggestion.

The situation now leaves the press corps in a state of uncertainty. While the pool remains hidden beneath the briefing room floor, the future of the room itself appears to be in flux. The administration has not yet provided a concrete plan for relocation, but the president's comments suggest that the status quo may not be permanent.