A history lesson in the press room.
The White House press room crackled Thursday as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faced off with CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang over the temporary demolition of the East Wing.
Leavitt was armed not just with talking points, but with a folder of century-old photographs and the certainty of someone who’d done her homework.
Jiang pressed hard, suggesting President Donald Trump believed he could “tear down whatever he wants” without oversight.
Leavitt didn’t blink.
“No, it’s something that presidents have done for years and years,” she said, pulling out photo after photo. “In fact, I have some photos here to show you the construction that’s taken place on the White House grounds. This is the construction of the West Wing in 1902. Look at this, the construction of the West Terrace in 1902. These images look quite similar to what you and the American people are seeing today. The construction of the East Terrace as well.”
Jiang pushed again. “So it sounds like the answer is yes, he can tear down whatever he wants.”
Leavitt smiled thinly. “I mean, that’s not what we’re saying. That’s a legal opinion that’s been held for many years,” she replied, turning another page. “Look at the construction of the West Wing expansion in 1934. So look, this is a legal opinion that’s been held for many years. Look, this is 1950.”
When Jiang tried once more, Leavitt delivered the line that sealed it.
“What do you think that rubble is? How did that rubble get there?” she said, pointing to a photo of the 1950 renovations.
From Theodore Roosevelt’s 1902 rebuild to Harry Truman’s gut renovation, presidents have been refashioning the White House for generations. Richard Nixon added a briefing room and bowling alley; Barack Obama swapped the tennis court for a basketball court.
Yet Democrats like Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, and Gavin Newsom accused Trump of “treating the People’s House as his own.”
Leavitt’s point stood undisturbed amid the noise: the White House has always been under construction — only now, it’s the outrage that’s being rebuilt brick by brick.
Watch the clip below:
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt just destroyed a reporter throwing a fit over President Trump’s new ballroom:
REPORTER: “So can you help us understand can the President tear down anything he wants without oversight?”
*pulls out receipts*
LEAVITT: “I have some photos here.… pic.twitter.com/GFTSBV7zL7
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 23, 2025
