100-plus reporters may move from West Wing under Trump's plan

The White House press corps could soon vacate its long-standing post in the West Wing.

On Friday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he might relocate the group, which includes more than 100 journalists, to a different location. He described the current spot as potentially replaced by a "less obnoxious location." The post came after The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump had discussed the move with his former press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. The idea stalled during her tenure, which ended on August 27.

Trump specifically addressed the question of whether he plans to demolish the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. He called reports linking the move to a swimming pool restoration "Fake News" and wrote, "I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!" The pool was built in 1933 for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to manage pain from polio. In the 1970s, Richard Nixon built a floor over the water to create space for the briefing room. The pool remains beneath that floor today.

Leavitt told Bill Maher on HBO's "Real Time" that Trump is "flirting" with the restoration project. She noted that he "maybe, wants to restore it to all of its glory" but added that she did not know if he would follow through. The comments land during a period of friction between the administration and media outlets. In September, Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House. A federal judge later ruled the order likely unconstitutional, forcing the White House to restore access, though the administration continues to contest the decision.

Tensions flared again on Tuesday in the Oval Office. Trump interrupted Andrew Feinberg, a correspondent for The Independent, as Feinberg 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 exchange on social media. Any physical change to the briefing area would join other alterations to the property since Trump returned to power. These projects include the demolition of the East Wing for a new ballroom, the installation of concrete pavers in the Rose Garden, and a new helipad on the South Lawn.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the potential relocation. The next scheduled step involves internal planning, though no specific date for a move has been announced.