Karoline Leavitt schools CBS reporter questioning Trump’s right to renovate the White House

WASHINGTON, DC: CBS reporter Weijia Jiang clashed with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, October 23, over President Donald Trump’s plan to demolish the White House’s East Wing to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. 

The exchange centered on whether Trump followed proper protocols for the deconstruction and whether he could legally remove parts of the historic building without oversight.

CBS reporter asks if Trump can tear down anything without oversight

During the briefing, Weijia Jiang inquired whether Donald Trump had followed the proper procedures with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which oversees construction projects.

“The White House has explained that the reason you didn’t submit construction plans to the NCPC is because that commission, along with others, don’t have oversight over demolitions, but only over construction, and so far you haven’t built anything,” Jiang said.

Jiang pressed further, “Can you help us understand? Can the president tear down anything he wants without oversight? Can he demolish this building or say, the Jefferson Memorial?”

Leavitt countered, citing the NCPC’s long-held legal opinion. “That’s a legal opinion that’s been held by the NCPC for many years,” she said.

“They have ruled consistently, their general counsel has said when it comes to phase one of this project, the tearing down of the current East Wing structure, a submission is not required legally for that — only for vertical construction will a submission be required. And that is a legal opinion from them. We are following that legal opinion,” the 28-year-old added. 

Historical context and White House renovations

Karoline Leavitt pointed out that past presidents have frequently updated the White House. “There have been many presidents in the past who have made their mark on this beautiful White House complex. This briefing room … was not once a briefing room, it was a swimming pool,” she said. “There have been presidents who have completely torn down the executive mansion.”

Jiang summarized the exchange: “So, it sounds like the answer is, ‘Yes, he can tear down whatever he wants.’” Leavitt responded: “That’s not what we are saying. That’s a legal opinion that’s been held for many years.” She also highlighted historical construction projects, including the West Wing and West Terrace in 1902, to illustrate precedent.

Questions from the press and public interest regarding Trump's ballroom project

Weijia Jiang emphasized she was referring specifically to demolitions versus construction. “I’m asking about demolishing — demolition,” she said. Leavitt continued to highlight prior construction efforts, showing photographic examples of past renovations.

ABC’s Mary Bruce also questioned Leavitt. “The president had initially said that this project wouldn’t interfere with or touch the current structure,” Bruce said. “Now, he says to do this properly, he realized that the East Wing had to be demolished. This is the people’s house. Why not inform the public of that change and when it was decided that the East Wing would have to be demolished?”

Photos from Thursday show the East Wing reduced to rubble, with deconstruction extending to the East Colonnade, home to the White House movie theater. The new ballroom project, estimated at $300 million, is funded in part by private donors, including Google, Apple, and Amazon.