Donald Trump describes the White House as ‘s—‘ in speech – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: upload.wikimedia.org)
President Donald Trump came close to using profanity to describe the White House itself during a Rose Garden dinner honoring Police Week. The remarks came as he addressed guests at the presidential residence and quickly turned to the condition of the building. He framed the comments around advice from his wife to maintain a presidential tone.
Opening Remarks Set a Casual Tone
Trump began by welcoming attendees and noting changes to the Rose Garden lawn. He explained that the grass had been replaced because visitors grew tired of standing in mud. The president added that the decision drew some criticism from his wife, who asked what had happened to her grass.
Those light comments gave way to more pointed observations about the residence. Trump described ongoing work to restore the building and highlighted improvements already completed. He said the columns and plaster had previously shown signs of neglect but now appeared in much better shape.
Profane Tease Breaks Through
Twenty minutes into the speech, Trump referenced his wife’s guidance on language. He recalled being told to act presidential and avoid foul words. The president then said he would normally have called the White House a certain term but chose not to use it.
Instead, he listed specific problems he had encountered. The columns were falling down and plaster was coming off the walls, according to his account. Trump contrasted those earlier issues with the current state of the building, which he described as tip-top with new stonework.
Plans for Further Changes
Trump also spoke about a proposed ballroom addition to the White House. He repeated an earlier claim about a Democratic congresswoman that has been widely disputed. The president devoted additional time to renovations at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been drained for repainting.
The project calls for the basin to be painted blue at his request. The New York Times reported that the work will cost the administration $18 million. That figure exceeds the $2.5 million amount Trump had previously stated.
| Trump’s Claimed Cost | Reported Project Cost |
|---|---|
| $2.5 million | $18 million |
Lawsuit Challenges the Pool Work
A Washington nonprofit filed suit yesterday to stop the reflecting pool from being painted blue. The group argued that the original dark basin creates the mirror-like reflection of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument that visitors expect. It said the color choice was central to the historic design rather than an afterthought.
The lawsuit claims the administration bypassed required review under laws protecting historic landmarks. Officials awarded the contract without competitive bidding last month, citing urgent repair needs. The case remains pending as work on the pool continues.
