Trump Weighs Removing White House Press Corps to Restore Historic Swimming Pool

Donald Trump is considering removing journalists covering the White House from the historic briefing room and converting the space back into an indoor swimming pool, according to reports. The idea has been raised repeatedly by the US president in recent months, gaining traction among his inner circle as a potential dramatic shift in relations between the administration and the press.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump first pushed the proposal during his previous term and has revived it with renewed vigor. The plan involves restoring the pool originally built by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, which was later covered during the Nixon administration to accommodate the growing press corps. Proponents of the move argue that relocating reporters outside the West Wing or entirely off the White House grounds would streamline operations, while critics view it as a direct threat to press freedom and a long-standing democratic tradition.

The discussions come amid a broader series of tensions between the White House and major news organizations. The administration has recently restricted press access for several outlets, citing what it describes as biased reporting and manufactured narratives. Meanwhile, legal battles and antitrust inquiries involving media companies have further escalated friction between the executive branch and national journalists.

While previous administrations ultimately abandoned similar proposals due to logistical hurdles and public backlash, current aides note that the political climate has shifted. Trump's core supporters have largely embraced his confrontational stance toward mainstream media, potentially lowering the political cost of such unprecedented administrative measures.