Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Trump Is Considering Replacing White House Press Room With Indoor Pool
Trump is considering restoring an indoor pool in the White House space now used for press briefings, according to reports.
The White House did not deny the idea, saying all options remain on the table and it would announce a decision when appropriate.
The pool was turned into a press room in 1970 under President Richard Nixon, after being built during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
One report says Trump has discussed moving the press corps to the nearby Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
No decision to move reporters has been announced, and a similar idea was reported previously.
The proposal comes amid increased tensions between Trump and the press, including a recent court ruling blocking the administration from restoring an access ban on reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Donald Trump is considering replacing the White House press briefing room with an indoor pool, according to reports cited by TheWrap.
The White House did not deny the report, and Communications Director Steven Cheung said all options remain open.
Trump has discussed moving the press corps, possibly to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, while restoring the pool built under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The pool was converted into the press room in 1970 under President Richard Nixon.
The proposal comes amid Trump’s increased criticism of the press and recent tensions with reporters.
- Who
- President Donald Trump is considering the change. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung commented on the reports.
- What
- Trump is considering replacing the press briefing room with an indoor pool and possibly relocating the press corps.
- When
- The report and Cheung’s comments were published on October 20, 2026. Trump had also posted an image about the idea in September.
- Where
- The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House; the press corps could potentially be moved to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- Why
- Trump reportedly wants to restore the indoor pool built by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The sources also report that his frustrations with the media have mounted.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The indoor pool was converted into the press briefing room under President Richard Nixon.
Trump posted a side-by-side image of the press room and an indoor pool, captioned Fake News Before, FDR Pool After.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had repeatedly weighed moving the press corps out of the White House.
Judge Timothy Kelly barred the administration from reinstating its ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters accessing the White House grounds.
TheWrap reported that the White House did not deny Trump was considering replacing the press room with an indoor pool.
- Proposed change
- Replace the White House press briefing room with an indoor pool
- Press room
- James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
- Possible relocation
- Eisenhower Executive Office Building
- Pool history
- Built under Franklin D. Roosevelt; converted into the press room in 1970
- White House response
- Steven Cheung said all options remain on the table
What people are saying
All options remain on the table, and we will make an announcement when appropriate.
Fake News Before, FDR Pool After
be careful