President Trump reportedly told members of his Bedminster Golf Club that the White House “is a real dump,” according to an article in Sports Illustrated.
Trump has visited the New Jersey club four times since becoming president, and reportedly made the comment to explain his frequent visits.
“Chatting with some members before a recent round of golf, he explained his frequent appearances: "That White House is a real dump." (A White House spokesperson denies this occurred.) Trump is often at his most unguarded among the people who pay for their proximity to him. Last November, the President-elect hosted a cocktail reception and dinner at Bedminster on the same weekend that he was holding interviews at the club with candidates for his Cabinet. At the dinner, Trump addressed the members of the club by saying, "This is my real group. You are the special people. I see all of you. I recognize, like, 100% of you, just about." Then he issued an open invitation to drop in on his Cabinet interviews the next day.” (Golf.com)
Chelsea Clinton was quick to tweet her support of White House staff.
“Thank you to all the White House ushers, butlers, maids, chefs, florists, gardeners, plumbers, engineers & curators for all you do every day,” she said, retweeting the section of the article about Trump’s comments.
Thank you to all the White House ushers, butlers, maids, chefs, florists, gardeners, plumbers, engineers & curators for all you do every day https://t.co/rjQS9HeALG
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 1, 2017
As the report states, a White House spokesperson denied the statement. But even if he did say it, it sounds like he was probably joking. Remember that in an interview shortly after his inauguration, Trump heaped praise on the White House, calling it a "beautiful residence" that's "very elegant"--a comment The New York Times even noted was one of his "highest forms of praise."
“It’s a beautiful residence, it’s very elegant,”he said.
“There’s something very special when you know that Abraham Lincoln slept there,” Trump added. “The Lincoln Bedroom, you know, was his office, and the suite where I’m staying is actually where he slept.”
“Knowing all of that, it’s different, than, you know, just pure elegance and room size,” Mr. Trump said. “There’s a lot of history.”