Trump considers moving White House press corps elsewhere

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 18:44 · Archive

President Trump confirmed he is considering relocating White House reporters to what he called a 'less obnoxious location'.

President Trump confirmed on Saturday that he is considering moving the White House press corps to a new location. In a social media post, he rejected reports that he intended to remove the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to restore a historic swimming pool originally built during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. Trump described this claim as 'a stupid thing' he had 'never even thought to do'. However, he indicated he may relocate reporters 'to a less obnoxious location'.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump had previously suggested to then-press secretary Karoline Leavitt in August that news briefings be moved out of the current press room. That proposal did not proceed during Leavitt's tenure, which ended on 27 August. The Nixon administration had replaced the historic indoor therapy pool with the current press briefing room.

Trump's statements come during an escalating conflict with journalists. Last month, he banned reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds, warning other organisations could face similar measures. Advocates for free expression argued the decision violated First Amendment rights. A US federal judge ruled the order likely unconstitutional, forcing the White House to restore access, though the Trump administration continues to fight the ruling. During an Oval Office event on Tuesday, Trump also attacked Andrew Feinberg, The Independent's White House correspondent, telling him 'What's wrong with you? Are you a sick person?' as Feinberg attempted to ask a question.

How it is being reported

• Trump says he may move White House press corps to new locationTrump’s remarks come amid a fractious moment between the US president and the journalists who cover him.Al Jazeera · 24 Oct, 18:01
• Trump floating the idea of moving White House press area to ‘less obnoxious location’Trump has consistently criticized U.S. media outlets, accusing them of biased coverage regarding his administrationIndependent World · 24 Oct, 16:38

In this story: Donald Trump · Karoline Leavitt · Andrew Feinberg · Franklin D. Roosevelt · White House · CNN · Politico

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