Trump Calls White House a 'Shit House' While Defending Controversial Renovations

At a Rose Garden dinner with law enforcement leaders on May 11, Trump used vulgar language to describe the White House's condition before his second term, claiming it "was a shit house" with columns "falling down" and plaster "falling off." He boasted the building is now "tippy top" due to his renovations. The remarks came months after his administration demolished the entire East Wing in October 2025 without review by the National Capital Planning Commission, drawing widespread criticism from preservationists. Trump has proposed replacing the demolished wing with a $400 million ballroom. The vulgar characterization of the historic presidential residence and false claims about its structural condition represent an unprecedented public disparagement of a national landmark by a sitting president.

"Normally I would have said it was a shit house... the columns were falling down and plaster falling off, but now it's tippy top." — Remarks at Rose Garden dinner with law enforcement leaders, defending White House renovations