Trump brands pre-Trump White House a 'dump', touts renovation with before and after photos

Trump's White House renovations included demolishing the East Wing for a new ballroom, which he said was funded by him and private donors
President Donald Trump called the White House a 'dump' before renovations and said it was now in a better shape than when it was built in 1792 (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump called the White House a 'dump' before renovations and said it was now in a better shape than when it was built in 1792 (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, who has launched a spree of renovation projects in Washington, DC, since returning to the Oval Office for his second term, has once again touted his work on the White House.

Trump said the state of the mansion was a "dump” before his renovations and said that it is now in better shape than when it was built in 1792.

President Trump has aggressively moved to leave his imprint on the nation’s capital since he returned in January 2025.

Trump says White House now better than 1792

President Donald Trump, writing a Truth Social post late on Sunday, September 13, hyped his efforts to restore the White House, which was in bad condition inside and out, declaring it a “dump” before he began renovating it.

TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND - JULY 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting his Trump Turnberry golf course, as well as Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, during a brief visit to Scotland from July 25 to 29. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Trump also accused his predecessors of not taking care of the building (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The president also accused his predecessors of not taking care of the building, while he was renovating it in his free time.

The White House was in very bad condition, both inside and out. Frankly, it was a 'dump!' Past Presidents did not take care of it. I love renovating it during my spare time, which is not much,” Trump wrote.

“The exterior 'skin' of the Building was practically falling off! It is now in better shape than when built in 1792,” he added.

Trump further said it was an honor and a privilege to save the “great structure” through renovation. “More time without renovation would have destroyed our beloved White House!” he added.

Trump praised the Interior Department for its efforts, saying the contractor and department did a 'fantastic job'(@realDonaldTrump/Truthsocial)

Trump hails Interior Department's work

In the same post, Trump praised the Interior Department for its efforts, saying the contractor and department did a “fantastic job.”

“The Department of Interior, and various contractors, are doing a fantastic job,” he wrote.

The president also posted before-and-after photographs of restoration work at the executive mansion, which has undergone a sweeping and ambitious overhaul during his second term.

White House renovations are a major focus of President Trump's current projects.

Workers remove the scaffolding surrounding the North Portico of the White House, Monday, Sep. 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Workers remove the scaffolding surrounding the North Portico of the White House, Monday, September 7, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The East Wing was demolished to make way for a new ballroom, which he has insisted is being paid for by contributions from himself and private donors rather than taxpayers, calling it a “gift to the United States of America.”

The president also paved over the Rose Garden in the past year, which was established in 1913 by Ellen Wilson, wife of former President Woodrow Wilson.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state and referred to Prime Minister Mark Carney as a 'governor'
24 minutes ago
A Trump-appointed judge blocked the USPS mail-in ballots rule in full, rejecting a partial remedy that could have left states in limbo
46 minutes ago
Barack Obama pushed Democrats toward AI safety rules, while Trump said the technology needed only one guardrail: a 'strong' president
1 hour ago
Trump praised his sons as 'good' and hardworking people while leaving the door ajar for another family member to appear on the ballot
10 hours ago
Tucker Carlson said he hopes the good people of Michigan will keep Mike Rogers 'far away from Washington'
10 hours ago
AI leaders have urged caution over advanced models, while Mike Johnson and Donald Trump oppose slowing US development, citing competition with China
11 hours ago
Kennedy Center warns of 'certain fiscal collapse within weeks' as Donald Trump offers to 'raise the necessary funds' with 'appropriate recognition'
12 hours ago
Trump downplayed the report while defending the US-China relationship ahead of an expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24
13 hours ago
The moment has drawn Republican backlash, with critics accusing the two New York Democrats of laughing inappropriately during the solemn ceremony
14 hours ago
Senator Mitch McConnell's prolonged absence has drawn scrutiny over his health, transparency, and Senate representation
19 hours ago