President Donald Trump made an unusual visit to the White House roof on Monday, August 5, 2025. The surprise appearance caught reporters and observers off guard as Trump walked around the building’s rooftop area. When asked by reporters what he was doing up there, Trump simply replied that he was “taking a little walk.”
According to Newsweek, the president’s rooftop visit appears to be connected to his plans for major White House renovations. Trump is planning to add a $200 million ballroom to the White House, with construction set to begin in September 2025. The new ballroom project represents one of the most significant changes to the White House structure in recent years.
Video footage of the event quickly spread on social media, drawing mixed reactions from users. Ron Filipkowski, a political commentator, posted about the incident on social media. His post received various replies, including one from an account called “No Kings Here” that said “Tell him to jump.” Other users made similar inappropriate comments about the president’s rooftop appearance, like “And do a flip!”…
Trump explains his rooftop mission and renovation plans
During his time on the roof, Trump indicated with hand gestures that he had climbed up there to “build rockets.” When reporters pressed him further about what he hoped to build, Trump seemed to state that he was building ‘missiles,’ which caused the reporters to laugh. This isn’t the first time Trump has struggled to distinguish between reality and fiction. The comments appeared to be made in a lighthearted manner as Trump inspected the area where the new ballroom is planned to be constructed.
Tell him to jump
— No Kings Here (@Stop_Project25) August 5, 2025
This marks what appears to be the first time a sitting president has taken a trip to the roof of the White House. The White House roof is typically off-limits to most people for security reasons. Trump’s visit was likely part of his inspection process for the upcoming renovation project that will transform part of the historic building.
The president’s appearance also drew attention to his physical appearance. Some observers noted Trump’s distinctive look during the rooftop visit. There have been recent incidents where Trump was spotted with what appeared to be flesh-colored concealer on his hand while boarding Marine One, leading to ongoing commentary about his appearance and makeup choices, with even some of his own supporters now questioning his looks.
The ballroom addition represents a significant investment in White House infrastructure. The $200 million project will require careful planning and construction work around the existing historic structure. The September start date suggests that Trump’s administration is moving quickly to implement these changes during his current term in office.
