The NYT learned about Trump's proposal to remove journalists from the White House for the sake of the pool

The head of the White House, Donald Trump, has repeatedly proposed to free the briefing room in the White House from journalists and restore the indoor swimming pool in its place. This was reported on October 20 by The New York Times (NYT), citing sources.

According to the newspaper, at the end of August, Trump, during a meeting with the now former White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt, suggested that she take the journalists out of the James S. Brady auditorium. He called it a possible "last legacy" of Leavitt, but the initiative was not implemented.

Trump also told aides about his desire to restore the indoor swimming pool, which was built in 1933 by order of President Franklin Roosevelt for therapeutic procedures. Later, President Richard Nixon ordered the pool to be closed to make room for media representatives.

The NYT notes that the possible removal of journalists from the White House may have not only practical, but also symbolic significance. According to the newspaper, there are more and more supporters of the idea of transferring media editorial offices in Trump's entourage.

The largest US TV channels announced a boycott of Trump. What the media is writing

On September 18, Trump announced that he was immediately revoking access to CNN, MS NOW and the Politico newspaper due to, according to him, unfavorable coverage of his administration's activities. He warned that "other media outlets spreading fake news" may also be banned soon. In this regard, journalists from the White House press pool refused to replace the CNN team on September 21, expressing solidarity with their colleagues.

Later, on September 24, the NYT reported that the White House lifted Trump's ban on the non-admission of a number of media outlets, but on October 5, CNN reported on the non-admission of Politico journalists aboard the president's plane.