Trump Hints at Moving Press Corps to a New Site

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday that he may move the White House press corps to a different location. He described the new site as potentially being in a 'less obnoxious location.' In the same post, he rejected reports that he planned to eliminate the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to uncover a historic swimming pool.

Trump called the pool restoration story 'Fake News' and stated he never considered the idea. He wrote, 'I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!' However, he indicated that the dozens of reporters covering the White House could be relocated away from the executive residence.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump discussed moving journalists out of the briefing room with Karoline Leavitt, his former press secretary. According to the report, the plan did not move forward during her tenure, which concluded on August 27. Leavitt appeared on HBO's 'Real Time with Bill Maher' on Friday and described the president as 'flirting' with the pool restoration idea. She said he 'maybe, wants to restore it to all of its glory' but added that she did not know if he would follow through.

The swimming pool was constructed in 1933 for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to manage pain from polio. Richard Nixon covered the pool with a floor in the 1970s to create space for the briefing room. The Times reported that Trump has told aides he wants to return the pool to use.

These comments come amid rising tensions between the administration and the media. Last month, Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House. A federal judge ruled the ban likely unconstitutional, forcing the White House to restore access while the administration appeals the decision. On Tuesday, Trump criticized Andrew Feinberg of The Independent during an Oval Office event, asking, 'What's wrong with you? Are you a sick person?' The White House shared the clip on social media.

Any changes to the briefing room would join other alterations Trump has made since returning to office last year. He has demolished the East Wing for a ballroom, paved the Rose Garden center with concrete, and installed a helipad on the South Lawn. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.