President Donald Trump took a walk on the roof of the White House press briefing room Tuesday morning. Reporters shouted up to him to ask him what he was doing. He replied: “Taking a little walk.”
When asked for comment by Newsweek, the White House press office referred to Trump’s answers from the rooftop.
Why It Matters
While U.S. presidents are often seen on the White House lawn or the balcony, rooftop walks addressing the media are unheard of. Trump, however, is known for his spontaneous press conferences in a wide variety of locations.
Reporters shouted to ask what he was doing up there and he said he was “taking a little walk.” He said something about the White House ballroom and made some gestures but it’s not really making a ton of sense yet. Normal stuff
— Drew Harwell (@drewharwell.com) 2025-08-05T15:07:19.922Z
Donald Trump Spotted on White House Roof: What To Know
Trump was spotted on the roof of the White House briefing room around 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
After telling reporters he was going for a walk, Trump appeared to make gestures about the recently announced addition to the White House—a new ballroom—but it was not immediately clear what else he was trying to say at a distance.
The briefing room is located in the West Wing, which is situated on the opposite side of the building from where the new ballroom is to be constructed.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
What Are the White House State Ballroom Renovations?
The new ballroom was announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday. She said that a 90,000-square-foot ballroom would replace the current East Wing. That part of the White House currently houses the first lady’s office, which would be relocated as part of the project.
Trump has long complained that the historic building lacks sufficient space to accommodate larger state functions.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance,” a statement from the White House read.
The building has been largely unchanged since its mid-20th-century reconstruction under President Harry Truman, although each administration has made cosmetic changes.
How Much Will the Renovations Cost?
The project is set to cost around $200 million, with the White House saying that funds are coming from the president’s own private finances and from private donors, rather than taxpayer money.
The U.S. Secret Service will be involved in the project to ensure it meets security standards.
There have been concerns raised about the historical cost of making drastic changes to a building that is seen as owned by the U.S. population, rather than the president, and whether the project will be completed before Trump’s second term ends.
In its announcement, the White House said that multiple meetings had been held to discuss the project with the National Park Service.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on the roof of the White House: “It’s just another way to spend my money for the country.”
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles previously commented: “The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.”
What Happens Next
Work on the new ballroom is set to begin next month, but a completion date has not been announced.
Update 8/5/25, 12:17 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
