During a speech at the White House honoring law enforcement officials, President Donald Trump claimed that the building was in a state of disrepair when he took office for his second term. He said the columns were “falling down,” the plaster was “falling off,” and the paint was in bad shape. The comments left many people confused and questioning his claims.
Before the speech, First Lady Melania Trump reportedly told him to “act presidential” and “don’t use foul language.” That advice did not last long. Within seconds, Trump dropped an F-bomb on a live mic, calling the White House a “sh*t house” in its previous state.
According to Mediaite, Trump then went on to talk about the renovations he has made to the White House. He mentioned new gold decor in the Oval Office and the demolition of the East Wing to build a ballroom. Trump claimed the ballroom, which is being paid for through private contributions, will be the most beautiful in the world and will have six-inch-thick glass that is “at the highest level of safety.”
Trump’s White House renovation claims are raising more questions than answers
Trump also spoke about changes made to the White House Rose Garden, where the historic garden was paved over and replaced with a concrete patio. Many people have criticized this decision, calling the new design “tacky.” Trump defended the changes, saying the garden was “soaking wet” and that the new layout is more functional.
On the topic of the new ballroom, Trump said it would include features connected to “militarily related things,” though he did not go into detail about what that means. The ballroom is still under construction and is being funded through private donations rather than government money. Melania has also been in the news lately for other reasons, including a dispute involving her documentary producer that has drawn significant attention.
Trump just referred to the White House as a 'shit house.'
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 12, 2026
"I was told by my wife, you have to act presidential. So don't use foul language. I won't. Therefore, normally I would have said it was a shit house, but I don't want to say that. The columns were falling down. The…
Trump also made comments about the Lincoln Memorial Pool during a recent speech, referring to it in a way that confused many listeners. The pool is currently undergoing a $13 million renovation and is considered a historic site. His remarks drew criticism from people who felt he was not being accurate about the location.
The White House renovations have been a topic of ongoing debate. Critics argue that changes like the removal of the Rose Garden show little regard for the historical value of the building. Supporters of the president, however, say the updates are necessary and long overdue. Separately, the Melania documentary’s performance in the UK has also raised eyebrows, after millions were spent on promotion with very little to show for it.
As for Melania’s warning before the speech, it appears it had little effect on the president’s choice of words. Trump has used strong language in public settings before, but the moment stood out because it happened on a live microphone during a formal White House event. The incident quickly gained attention online and in the media.
