Donald Trump reportedly told members at his New Jersey golf club that the reason he visits so often is because “The White House is a real dump.”
According to a report from Golf.com published on Tuesday, Trump’s comments came during a recent trip to his club in Bedminster, New Jersey. However, a White House spokesperson denied to the publication that Trump ever said it.
Trump has spent most weekends since taking office visiting his various properties and golf resorts, including Bedminster, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and the club in the D.C. suburb of Sterling, Virginia.
Golf.com wrote that the president is “often at his most unguarded among the people who pay for their proximity to him.” The publication goes on to quote an address to club members last November by then-president-elect Trump.
“This is my real group,” he said, reportedly offering them the option to “drop in” to his interviews with potential members of his Cabinet. “You are the special people. I see all of you. I recognize, like, 100 percent of you, just about.”
Chelsea Clinton was among those who responded to Trump’s statement about the state of The White House on Twitter.
“Thank you to all the White House ushers, butlers, maids, chefs, florists, gardeners, plumbers, engineers & curators for all you do every day,” she wrote.
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
"The White House is a dump" would've been a week-long scandal/PR crisis in the Obama admin, crowing out all talk of everything else.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/892514831538032640
I understand @realDonaldTrump may have called the White House a "dump." That's not in the top 500 things to be outraged about. Seriously.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) August 2, 2017
So he thinks the White House is a dump. He's realllly gonna hate prison.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) August 2, 2017
Pete Souza slams Trump, says "no American should ever" call the White House a 'dump'. pic.twitter.com/pChGFRyLTX
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 2, 2017
Trump thinks the White House is a real dump. Well, many Americans think a human heap of garbage has taken up residence there. https://t.co/4sfIyJ3re4
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) August 1, 2017