Brief
Trump teases replacing White House press room with indoor pool
The former president’s post, labelled “Fake News, Before” and “FDR Pool After,” follows a series of renovations and a recent ban on major news outlets.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On 29 September, President Donald Trump posted two images on Truth Social that appear to mock the White House’s James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. The first picture, captioned “Fake News, Before,” shows the current press room; the second, titled “FDR Pool After,” depicts a rendering of an indoor swimming pool with gold accents and a gold ladder.
Trump’s post comes amid an escalating feud with mainstream media. Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked the president’s attempt to ban CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, and the administration subsequently barred CNN from flying on Air Force One for a Tennessee trip. The ban followed Trump’s announcement on 22 September that he would restrict access to the press pool, a move that sparked a nationwide boycott by the TV press pool and a lawsuit alleging a First Amendment violation.
Trump has previously shown little interest in renovating the press room. In a 2023 interview, he told a reporter he did not want to make the room more comfortable for journalists. The current press briefing room was originally built over an indoor pool installed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, which was covered over during Richard Nixon’s presidency to accommodate journalists.
While it is unclear whether the president intends to demolish the press room or is merely making a pun on “press pool” and “swimming pool,” the post adds to a pattern of confrontations between Trump and the media. The White House has already removed CNN from Air Force One for a Tennessee trip and has banned CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, prompting a lawsuit and a temporary suspension of the TV press pool by five major networks.
Key facts
- Trump posted images on Truth Social suggesting the press room be replaced by an indoor pool (independent.co.uk)
- The post was labelled “Fake News, Before” and “FDR Pool After” (independent.co.uk)
- A judge blocked Trump’s attempt to ban CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House (independent.co.uk)
- Trump previously said he did not want to renovate the press room (independent.co.uk)
- The press room was originally built over an indoor pool installed for FDR in 1933 (independent.co.uk)
Background
Earlier Felo coverage noted Trump’s shift to a partisan press pool and the ban on mainstream outlets, highlighting a broader pattern of media confrontations.
Timeline
- 2026-09-22 — Trump announces ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- 2026-09-23 — Federal judge to hear emergency hearing on press ban
- 2026-09-26 — White House excludes CNN from Air Force One
Why it matters
The post reflects ongoing tensions over press access and could influence future media coverage of the White House.
What happens next
A federal judge will hear the emergency hearing on the press ban next week.
