As renovations continue in and around the White House, President Donald Trump defended his projects, saying the executive mansion was a “dump” before he began work on the over 200-year-old building.
“The White House was in very bad condition, both inside and out. Frankly, it was a dump!” Trump wrote in a Sept. 13 Truth Social post. “Past Presidents did not take care of it. I love renovating it during my spare time, which is not much. The Department of Interior, and various contractors, are doing a fantastic job.”
In the same post, the president also shared photos of cracks and imperfections in the building’s North Portico columns, which scaffolding covered as part of the White House’s renovation.
“The exterior ‘skin’ of the Building was practically
falling off!” Trump said. “It is now in better shape than when built in 1792. Such an Honor to have the privilege of saving this Great Structure! More time without renovation would have destroyed our beloved White House!”
Trump’s post over the weekend comes as the president continues an ongoing effort to shape the presidential residence and grounds to his liking.
Trump’s construction efforts
Since returning to the White House in 2025, Trump has undertaken several construction efforts, including demolishing the East Wing to build a new ballroom, installing a patio in the Rose Garden, revamping the West Wing colonnade, installing 88-foot flagpoles, adding gold accents in the Oval Office, renovating the Lincoln Bathroom and building a helipad on the South Lawn.
The ballroom in particular has been at the center of deep controversy and legal proceedings, including a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that Trump needed congressional approval for his renovations.
But on Aug. 31, the Supreme Court gave Trump a boost, clearing the way for construction to continue on the $400 million ballroom.
Outside of the White House, Trump has also sought to reshape the Washington landscape and key landmarks.
The president is planning to build a new triumphal arch near the National Mall and has launched various renovation efforts, including at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
USA TODAY’s Maureen Groppe and Zac Anderson contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says White House was 'dump' before he began renovations
