President Trump suggested he may evict White House reporters from the press briefing room inside 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
He put it this way on social media Saturday, saying he “may move the Fake News to a less obnoxious location.”
While he might relocate the media out of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, he denied plans to restore an indoor swimming pool.
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Mr. Trump’s post was prompted by an earlier New York Times report that he pushed then-press secretary Karoline Leavitt in August to remove reporters from the West Wing room.
The discussions occurred around the departure of Ms. Leavitt on Aug. 27. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, left the job in October after five days, and the position remains vacant.
The president dismissed claims that he intended to tear down the briefing room to revive an indoor therapy pool originally installed for Franklin D. Roosevelt, even as aides cited in the report said he discussed the concept.
“There is a Fake News report out there that I am going to remove the White House Press Room and bring back the old Swimming Pool, which lies directly underneath,” he said, adding that “the old swimming pool will never be brought back.”
“I NEVER even thought to do such a stupid thing!” he said.
The latest idea of ousting reporters follows recent friction between the administration and the press, including a temporary ban on journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico that a federal judge ruled was likely unconstitutional.
On Sept. 18, Mr. Trump said he was banning the outlets from the White House over their “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS.” The ban affected 78 journalists with hard passes, according to court filings.
The outlets sued, arguing the ban violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.
Justice Department attorneys said national security was a factor.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, ordered access restored on Sept. 24.
On Oct. 13, the judge issued a preliminary injunction, ruling the outlets were likely to succeed on their First Amendment and due process claims. The administration has appealed.
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