Trump suggests White House press corps should move to a less obnoxious location

Donald Trump has indicated he may move the White House press corps to a different location, a shift that could physically separate the reporters from the executive residence. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, the president described the current arrangement as problematic and suggested the journalists should move to a "less obnoxious location."

The comments follow reports that Trump proposed removing the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to restore a historic swimming pool underneath. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the president pitched the idea to Karoline Leavitt, his former press secretary. Leavitt served in the role until August 27, and according to the report, the proposal did not move forward during her time in the post.

Trump rejected the idea that he was planning to demolish the briefing room entirely. In his social media post, he called reports about removing the room "Fake News" and stated, "I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!" However, he left the door open for a relocation of the staff themselves.

The pool in question was built in 1933 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who swam there to manage symptoms of polio. In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon covered the pool with a floor to create space for the briefing room as the number of journalists grew. Leavitt told HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Friday that Trump was "flirting" with restoring the pool to "all of its glory," though she expressed uncertainty about whether he would execute the plan.

The discussion of the briefing room comes amid strained relations between the White House and the media. Last month, the administration barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the premises. A federal judge ruled the ban likely violated the First Amendment, forcing the White House to restore access, though the administration is appealing the decision.

Trump has also directed sharp criticism at individual reporters. At an Oval Office event on Tuesday, he told Andrew Feinberg, a White House correspondent for The Independent, that he appeared to be a "sick person" while Feinberg attempted to ask a question. The White House shared the exchange on social media platforms.

Potential changes to the briefing room would join other structural modifications made to the White House property since Trump returned to power last year. These 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.