Trump Weighs Shifting White House Reporters From West Wing

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he is considering moving the White House press corps to a new location. He made the remark in a Truth Social post, describing his current surroundings as potentially "less obnoxious." The comment signals a possible physical separation between the executive office and the journalists who cover it daily.

In the same post, Trump rejected reports that he plans to remove the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to uncover a historic swimming pool. He labeled those accounts "Fake News" and wrote, "I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!" The denial addresses a story published by The New York Times on Tuesday. That report claimed Trump discussed relocating journalists with former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The idea reportedly stalled during her tenure, which concluded on August 27.

The pool sits beneath the current briefing room floor. Franklin D. Roosevelt built the structure in 1933 to swim for relief from polio-related soreness. In the 1970s, Richard Nixon covered the pool with a floor to create space for a larger press corps. The New York Times reported that Trump told aides he wanted to restore the pool. Leavitt told HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Friday that Trump is "flirting" with the restoration. She said he "maybe, wants to restore it to all of its glory" but added that she does not know if he will proceed.

The potential relocation occurs amid rising tension between the White House and the media. Last month, Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the building. A US federal judge ruled that order likely unconstitutional, forcing the White House to restore access. The administration continues to contest that ruling.

Trump also clashed with reporters on Tuesday during an Oval Office event. He questioned Andrew Feinberg, a White House correspondent for The Independent, as the reporter 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 shared the clip on social media.

Any changes to the briefing room would join other modifications to the White House property since Trump returned to power. He demolished the East Wing to construct a new ballroom. He installed concrete pavers across the Rose Garden lawn and built a helipad on the South Lawn. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the relocation rumors.