Trump wanted Karoline Leavitt's ‘last legacy’ to be replacing WH press room with FDR pool: 5 key facts

Trump reportedly discussed moving journalists out of the James S Brady Press Briefing Room during an August meeting with Leavitt. According to The New York Times, he suggested the relocation could become her "last legacy" before leaving her role as press secretary. The conversation linked Leavitt's potential final assignment to a larger White House renovation idea: reclaiming the space originally occupied by Franklin D Roosevelt's swimming pool.

The White House press briefing room has served as the setting for televised briefings, presidential announcements and exchanges between journalists and administration officials for decades. But the room has an unusual history. In 1933, an indoor swimming pool was installed for President Franklin D Roosevelt, who used swimming as part of his physical therapy after contracting polio. During Richard Nixon's presidency, the pool was covered to create facilities for White House reporters. The original structure remains beneath the briefing room.

The reported proposal involved more than simply removing the existing briefing room. One possibility was to move journalists into the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which stands next to the White House and houses offices used by administration staff. Such a move could free the present briefing room for another purpose while preserving a dedicated workspace for reporters. However, relocating the press corps would raise practical questions about access, security and proximity to West Wing officials. No final relocation decision has been announced.

Trump had already offered a public glimpse of the idea by sharing a digitally altered image of the White House press room on Truth Social. The comparison labeled the existing press facilities "Fake News" and depicted a luxurious indoor swimming pool under the name "FDR Pool." The illustration featured ornate architectural details, offering a striking contrast with the familiar rows of seats and briefing podium.

Asked about the reported proposal, White House communications director Steven Cheung did not rule it out. "America is rightly distrustful of the fake news media because they fabricate stories based off lies and sources who are not even privy to any type of information," Cheung told The New York Times. He added, "All options remain on the table, and we will make an announcement when appropriate." His response leaves the possibility of restoring the historic pool open, although no final decision or construction timetable has been announced.